Hajji's Honor by a nose in San Mateo Stakes

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Hajji's Honor ($6) unleashed a strong kick in the lane to nip Razen Hazen by a nose in the $65,400 at Bay Meadows on Sunday.

Hajji's Honor was bumped by Razen Hazen and Gibford at the start. He settled nicely off the pace set by Hot Weekend, the lone filly in the six-furlong stakes for 2-year-olds.

He moved four wide around the turn and finished strongly while wide down the stretch to win the race in 1:10.89. Razen Hazen finished one length in front of Hot Weekend, with Trish's Diamond, who nearly fell leaving the gate, fourth.

"He didn't break as sharp as I would like, and he was gawking at shadows, but overall he ran well," winning jockey Jason Lumpkins said. "I knew I had those two inside horses to contend with, but he really responded to the left-handed whip. I really didn't know if we were going to get there, but he got the job done."

Owner-breeder Fran Hodge, who said the colt was nearly sold in a yearling sale, said the colt would be pointed to a route next. "He's extremely professional for a 2-year-old, and we think he'll be better around two turns."

Hajji's Honor earned $33,450 for his first stakes victory and boosted his career earnings to $55,930 with two wins in four starts.