Continuously via disqualification

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Strength in numbers gave trainer Bobby Frankel a record 860th win at Hollywood Park in Saturday's $250,000 .

Frankel finished first and second with Epicentre and Continuously, but Epicentre was disqualified and placed third for interfering with pacesetter Bowman Mill in the stretch.

The steward's decision gave Continuously his first stakes win in the Grade 1 Turf Cup, and moved Frankel past the late Charles Whittingham on Hollywood Park's all-time trainer's list.

Frankel was equally enthused to have scored a record 24th Grade 1 win in 2003.

"I'm real proud," he said in the winner's circle. "Charlie was a friend of mine. I wish he was here to see it."

Epicentre ran 1 1/2 miles on turf in a slow 2:29.01, finishing a nose in front of Continously.

Frankel feared that Epicentre would lose the race in the steward's room after he saw a replay of the stretch run.

"When I saw that horse was bumped, I thought he'd come down," Frankel said.

Bowman Mill, who set a slow early pace of 26.37 and 51.76 seconds, turned for home with a lead of 1 1/2 lengths. Near the eighth pole, Epicentre lugged in and bumped Bowman Mill. Epicentre took the lead in the final furlong and was fully extended by jockey Corey Nakatani to hold off Continuously by a nose. Bowman Mill finished a head behind Continuously.

Michael Dickinson, who trains Bowman Mill, thought the bumping incident denied the Maryland invader a victory.

"He took a hefty bump but he was only beaten two noses," Dickinson said. "He knocked him sideways. That knocked the air out of him. That cost him a length or two."

Runaway Dancer, the upset winner of the Carleton Burke Handicap at Santa Anita last month, rallied from last in a field of seven to finish fourth, followed by Staging Post, Hatif and Labirinto. Hataab and Superiority were scratched.

Jockey Tyler Baze, who rode Hatif, lodged an objection against Epicentre for interference on the final turn, but the stewards dismissed the claim.

Jockey Mike Smith was a late substitution for Brice Blanc on Labirinto. Blanc was shaken up when Labirinto flipped on the path leading from the walking ring to the racetrack. Smith was announced as Labirinto's rider with four minutes to post. The race was delayed for three minutes.

Blanc was taken to a local hospital for observation.

Continously, ridden by Alex Solis, has won 4 of 12 starts and $267,156. Owned by Saud bin Khaled, Continously began his career in England and made his first start for Frankel in June. The Turf Cup was his fourth consecutive start in a stakes, a span that includes a third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap in late August.