Bai and Bai ends three-race skid

The comfort of facing California-bred females helped Bai and Bai end a three-race losing streak in Saturday's $77,225 Cat's Cradle Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The win may have come in Bai and Bai's second-to-last career start. Trainer Craig Dollase said earlier in the week that Bai and Bai would be bred in early 2009 and may have one more start in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff at Santa Anita on Jan. 24.

Bai and Bai ($12.60) held off a late run from Spenditallbaby to win the Cat's Cradle by a head, finishing 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:27.85. Gambler's Justice, who set the early pace of 22.67 and 44.98 seconds, held third in the field of seven.

Ridden by Aaron Gryder, Bai and Bai was always near the front. She stalked Gambler's Justice to the turn, rallied between Gambler's Justice and Perfect Hostess entering the stretch, and took the lead in the final furlong. Bai and Bai wore blinkers, an equipment addition that Dollase hoped would lead to a more focused performance.

A 5-year-old mare by Falstaff, Bai and Bai has won 11 of 28 starts and $724,983. Owned by Beverly Lewis, Bai and Bai has won three stakes this year. She won the Foster City Handicap at Bay Meadows in March and the E.B. Johnston Stakes at Fairplex Park in September.