Hollywood Park: Book Review fires fresh in A Gleam Handicap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Book Review was back to doing what she does best in Saturday’s $200,000 A Gleam Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park – running around one turn.

Making her first start since February, Book Review closed with a wide rally to win the Grade 2 A Gleam, her third stakes win in a sprint. The victory was worth much more than the $120,000 first-place prize for owners Gary and Mary West. Book Review earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita in November.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Book Review ($8.20) closed from fourth in a field of five to win by 2 1/2 lengths. A 4-year-old filly by Giant’s Causeway, Book Review ran seven furlongs in 1:22.75.

Bejarano had Book Review racing off the pace and three wide for the first half-mile, about four lengths behind pacesetter Winding Way, who set fractions of 22.52 and 45.35 seconds. Continuing with a wide trip, Book Review was third in early stretch and took the lead in the final furlong.

“I decided to stay wide because I wanted to have a good trip,” Bejarano said. “I wanted to save a little bit for the stretch. I knew she’d have a good kick.”

Trained by Bob Baffert, Book Review carried 118 pounds, four fewer than runner-up Teddy’s Promise, the 6-5 favorite and highweight. Teddy’s Promise raced just behind Winding Way for the first half-mile and led in the stretch but offered no competition in the final sixteenth.

Teddy’s Promise finished a head in front of Byrama, who won the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap on June 15. Rumor was fourth, followed by Winding Way. Conkate, Maker Or Breaker, and Reneesgotzip were scratched earlier Saturday.

The Wests bred Book Review, who has won 6 of 13 starts and $784,955. She won two seven-furlong stakes in the final months of 2013 – the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks last September and the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita in December.

The A Gleam Handicap was Book Review’s first start since a second in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in February. She was sent to Charles Town for a stakes in April but did not start after contracting an illness during the trip.