Charlie's Moment upsets Barrera

INGLEWOOD, Calif.-Charlie's Moment needed 12 races to win his first graded stakes in Sunday's $100,000 Laz Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Trainer Walther Solis is ready to attempt another milestone with the 3-year-old gelding next month. Solis said that the Grade 3 Barrera was a prep for the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap, a Grade 3 over 1 1/16 miles here on June 20. He is hoping that Charlie's Moment can run well enough to justify a start in the $300,000 Swaps Stakes on July 18.

"Our plan is to try two turns with him," he said. "All along we've known he is a good horse."

In the Barrera, Charlie's Moment surprised Solis when he took the lead shortly after the start of the seven-furlong race. Ridden by Alex Solis, no relation to the trainer, Charlie's Moment led by a length on the backstretch and turned back a threat from Canonize in early stretch. Charlie's Moment won by two lengths over Bet On Victor, who was seventh early. Canonize held third in the field of eight.

"I was surprised that he took the lead," Walther Solis said in the winner's circle. "I guess he was anxious to run today."

Charlie's Moment ($15) was timed in 1:21.89. The Barrera was his third stakes win, preceded by the Gateway to Glory Stakes at Fairplex Park last September and the King Glorious Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in February. The Barrera was Charlie's Moment's third appearance in a graded stakes, and ninth consecutive stakes appearance.

Charlie's Moment, a gelding by Indian Charlie, has won 4 of 12 starts and $231,760.