Hollywood Park: Kate’s Event rallies to Tiznow victory

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Jockey Rafael Bejarano and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer are almost unbeatable as a team this year.

Since Jan. 1, they have combined to win with 25 of 40 starters. Saturday, the pair had a stakes double at Betfair Hollywood Park, winning the $245,000 Melair Stakes with Doinghardtimeagain and the $125,250 Tiznow Stakes with Kate’s Event.

The win by Doinghardtimeagain was expected; she was the 3-5 favorite. Kate’s Event was the 4-1 third choice, and had an ideal trip to win his stakes debut in the race for California-breds over 7 1/2 furlongs. Bejarano knows the 6-year-old Kate’s Event well. He was aboard the horse for a win in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on April 7.

“His last race was sensational, and he came back and duplicated it,” Hollendorfer said of Kate’s Event’s performance on Saturday.

Kate’s Event ($10.40) closed from sixth in a field of seven to win the Tiznow Stakes by a half-length over Rock Me Baby, who finished a nose in front of Planet Sunshine in a three-horse photo for second. Planet Sunshine finished a nose in front of an unlucky Mel’s Game, the even-money favorite.

Through the stretch, Mel’s Game raced behind the leaders. He had running room in the final sixteenth, but could not catch the leaders, just missing a placing.

Bejarano avoided trouble with Kate’s Event by keeping his mount wide through the stretch. Kate’s Event was timed in 1:29.31 and did not take the lead until the final stride. Hollendorfer said was watching the first four finishers closely through the final sixteenth.

Mel’s Game “didn’t have anywhere to run,” Hollendorfer said. “Our horse came from behind, so we went around them. We ended up with the best trip.”

There were seven starters after the multiple stakes winner John Scott was scratched early Saturday.

Kate’s Event races for breeder William Ziering. By Event of the Year, Kate’s Event made his debut in 2010, but was plagued by injury earlier in his career and was kept him off the track for a year. Kate’s Event has won 6 of 16 starts and $317,190.