Cajun Beat enjoys switch to turf

Cajun Beat, the winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint, won his first turf stakes with an impressive late rally in Friday's $150,000 at Hollywood Park.

The win was Cajun Beat's first since the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Handicap at Gulfstream Park in January, and first since joining Bobby Frankel's stable in the summer. Cajun Beat was previously trained by Steve Margolis.

Cajun Beat finished fifth in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Sprint last month at Lone Star Park.

In the Grade 3 Turf Express, Cajun Beat ($6.40) ran 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:02.08.

Cajun Beat was seventh in the field of eight on the backstretch, well behind De Valmont, who set an early pace of 21.25 and 43.60 seconds. De Valmont led by two lengths turning for home, but quickly shortened stride.

Cajun Beat rallied four wide in early stretch to take the lead past the eighth pole, winning by three lengths. Geronimo rallied to just catch Mighty Beau for second.

Cajun Beat was ridden by Ramon Dominguez, who won two of three stakes on Friday's card. He also won a division of the Miesque Stakes aboard the Frankel-trained Louvain.

Cajun Beat has won 7 of 17 starts and $1,159,100 for Padua Stable and Joe and John Iracane.