Affluent captures Hollywood Oaks

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Affluent, who chased some of the nation's top 3-year-old fillies in the first half of the year, won her first stakes in Saturday's $150,000 Hollywood Oaks.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Affluent got an ideal trip under jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, who swept Saturday's two stakes. Earlier in the day, he won the Valkyr Handicap with Fair Apache.

Delahoussaye rated Affluent at the back of the five-filly field until the end of the backstretch when they engaged Collect Call, the 8-5 second choice.

The two top contenders ran together on the final turn and into early stretch when Affluent pulled away to win by 2 1-2 lengths. Trained by Ron McAnally for Janis Whitham, Affluent ($4) finished 1 1-8 miles on the main track in 1:49.20.

Collect Call, who was three-wide on the backstretch in pursuit of runaway pacesetter Bartley, was a comfortable second, finishing 12 lengths in front of Secret of Mecca, a maiden who was making her third start. Katy Kat, a Kentucky shipper, and Bartley completed the order of finish.

Affluent finished second or third behind Golden Ballet in three stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year, and was third in the Grade 2 Princess Stakes on June 16, a prep to the Hollywood Oaks. By Affirmed, Affluent has won 3 of 8 starts and $262,800.