Balance takes Sharp Cat Stakes

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Balance is bound for the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 18 after winning her first stakes in Sunday's $100,000 at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Balance took the lead on the backstretch and held off a late run from Sweet Fourty to win by 1 3-4 lengths. Balance ($5.80) finished 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.58. Tallulah Lula finished third in the field of eight 2-year-old fillies.

Owned by John and Jerry Amerman and trained by David Hofmans, Balance has finished first in all three of her starts, but was controversially disqualified from first to third in the Hidden Light Stakes at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

The Sharp Cat Stakes marked her first start on dirt. She has earned $92,100.

The Starlet Stakes, run over 1 1-16 miles, is the final Grade 1 for 2-year-old fillies in the nation.