Hollywood Story ends slide with victory in Vanity Cap
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Hollywood Story ended a nine-race losing streak with an eventful win in Sunday's $300,000 at Hollywood Park, a race delayed by the late scratch of top contender Star Parade and an incident in which an assistant starter was kicked.
Hollywood Story won by a half-length over Healthy Addiction, finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.55. Sharp Lisa, who stalked the early pace, finished third, and was followed by Proposed, Freakin Streakin, and Bardy Woman.
Hollywood Story, fifth early, zoomed to the front with an eye-catching rally on the final turn. She was fully extended through the stretch by jockey David Flores to hold off a resurgent rally from pacesetter Healthy Addiction.
The Grade 1 Vanity, for fillies and mares, was Hollywood Story's first win since the Grade 3 Hawthorne Handicap in May 2005. Owned by George Krikorian and trained by John Shirreffs, Hollywood Story, 5, has won 4 of 24 starts and $1,123,105. She won the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet in 2003 and has placed in 10 graded stakes.
"I think it validates her earlier career," Shirreffs said of the win. "Hollywood Story has been the victim of some unlucky races."
The race was delayed for 15 minutes after Star Parade was scratched after becoming unruly in the starting gate. During the delay, assistant starter Mike Sherlock was kicked in the ribs by Proposed and was taken to a local hospital.
The withdrawal of Star Parade was a disappointment to trainer Darrell Vienna. She emerged with several scrapes on a hind leg.
"They did the right thing," Vienna said. "I wouldn't want her to run like that. Something ticked her off, and she has a little attitude, I know that. I loved her chances today."
American Cap: The Tin Man wires
The Tin Man, the 8-year-old gelding trained by Richard Mandella, continues to bash around rivals nearly his half his age.
In Sunday's $250,000 American Handicap, The Tin Man led throughout under jockey Victor Espinoza, winning his second graded stakes of the year. The Grade 2 American Handicap was The Tin Man's first start since he finished second in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba on March 25. Earlier this year, The Tin Man won the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita.
The Tin Man ($4) ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.24. The key to the race was a slow first half-mile. The Tin Man was not pressured through a moderate pace of 23.82 and 47.83 seconds.
The Tin Man did not face a serious threat in the final three furlongs. Fourty Niners Son tried to get through along the rail, but did not have room. Hendrix, 5, rallied in the final furlong to finish second, drawing within three-quarters of a length of The Tin Man at the finish. Fourty Niners Son, 5, finished third, followed by El Don and Mr. Wolverine. Quasimodo and Willow O Wisp were scratched.
The Tin Man has won 10 of 25 starts and $2,376,860.