Hollywood Park: Summer Exclusive takes Harry Henson Stakes by a head

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Summer Exclusive won his first stakes in his third career start in Thursday’s $73,600 Harry Henson Stakes, the opening-day feature of the spring-summer meeting at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Peter Miller, Summer Exclusive caught pacesetter Sacred Ovation in the final strides to win by a head. Summer Exclusive ($3.60) ran six furlongs on turf in 1:08.96. Sacred Ovation finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of Colburn in the field of six.

Gomez had Summer Exclusive in fifth on the backstretch, moved his mount to the rail on the turn and closed well to reach the front just in time.

“I had a dream trip,” Gomez said. “When I left there I ended up in the ideal spot. It was a matter of waiting to see which one would move first and which one I would follow.

“I thought I could go get him anytime I wanted. I had to work for it a little more than I thought.”

Summer Exclusive has won 2 of 3 starts and $77,860. After beating maidens in his debut on March 2, Summer Exclusive was seventh of eight in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

Miller said that Summer Exclusive is likely to stay in one-turn races for coming starts.

A colt by Exclusive Quality, Summer Exclusive is owned by a partnership.