Elloluv unexpected Starlet heroine

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Elloluv, a maiden winner making her stakes debut, pulled a shocking upset in Saturday's $356,500 at Hollywood Park, beating Composure, one of the top-ranked 2-year-old fillies in the nation.

Elloluv ($63.60) led throughout the 1 1/16 miles, finishing in 1:42.88. Composure, who finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Arlington Park in October, reached contention in early stretch, but never threatened the winner and finished second.

Ridden by Pat Valenzuela, Elloluv led by a length on the first turn and turned back a challenge from 87-1 Kinzie Wood on the backstretch. On the final turn, Elloluv led by a length and slowly pulled clear, scoring by four lengths.

"When she turned for home and started to open up, I thought, 'Geez,' " said winning owner Paul Reddam.

Composure was sent off at 1-5 and was such a heavy favorite in the show pool that she led to a minus show pool of $130,960.86. Of the $801,660 bet to show, $752,488 was placed on Composure.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Composure raced five wide on the first turn and was in a stalking position on the backstretch, racing three lengths behind Elloluv. She quickly moved into third on the final turn, but was under urging from jockey Mike Smith at the quarter pole and was never closer.

Summer Wind Dancer, the winner of the California Cup Juvenile Fillies last month, finished third, followed by Watching You, Kinzie Wood, Rmisvesta, and Tizalovelylady, who was bothered at the start.

The upset victory left Reddam and trainer Craig Dollase stunned. They were hoping the filly would gain a stakes placing in advance of a 3-year-old campaign geared toward the Kentucky Oaks in May.

"Obviously, she an up-and-coming filly," Dollase said. "She's never disappointed me and she's been very consistent in her training."