Awesome Gambler gives Talamo third of day

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Awesome Gambler won his stakes debut in Saturday's $80,800 Alydar Stakes at Hollywood Park, giving apprentice jockey Joe Talamo his third winner of the day.

Awesome Gambler ($9.20) rallied from seventh in the field of eight 3-year-olds to catch 3-5 favorite Cobalt Blue in the final furlong. Awesome Gambler ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.25, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in front of Cobalt Blue, who finished 5 1/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Freesgood.

Cobalt Blue, the winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in March, stalked pacesetter Leesider to the final turn before taking the lead. Cobalt Blue led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining but could not hold off Awesome Gambler.

Owned by Peter Walski and trained by Caesar Dominguez, Awesome Gambler has won 2 of 4 starts and $86,950. He beat maidens in his 3-year-old debut at Hollywood Park on April 28, his last start before the Alydar.