El Roblar hangs on to win Inglewood

El Roblar ran down pacesetter Ghosttrapper and held off a determined run from Heroi do Bafra through the stretch to win his first graded stakes on turf in the $109,500 Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, El Roblar ($5.20) was third early, stalking Ghosttrapper, who set an early pace of 23.27 and 46.11 seconds, leading by as many as 10 lengths. El Roblar made progress on the leader on the turn, took over in early stretch, and was fully extended to finish a half-length in front of Heroi do Bafra in the field of eight.

El Roblar ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40.35 under jockey Victor Espinoza. The Grade 3 Inglewood Handicap was El Roblar's second start of the year, following a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita last month.

A War Chant horse, El Roblar was sidelined following his win in the Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap on the main track last June until April of this year because of a bone chip in an ankle.

Owned by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable and trained by Richard Mandella, El Roblar, 6, has won 6 of 14 starts and $391,446.