Hollywood Story wins Hawthorne

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - From Kentucky to California, good fortune was truly on trainer John Shirreffs's side on Saturday.

Nearly three hours after Giacomo's upset win in the Kentucky Derby, the stable won the $108,300 at Hollywood Park with Hollywood Story, who nearly fell on the first turn.

Racing at the back of the field in the first quarter-mile, Hollywood Story clipped heels with the longshot Cissy, and stumbled badly, nearly unseating jockey Victor Espinoza. Hollywood Story recovered quickly, but trailed pacesetter Siphon Honey by as many as 10 lengths on the backstretch.

Espinoza waited until the end of the backstretch to ask Hollywood Story for a run, and quickly got a response. Hollywood Story passed the Muir Beach and Quero Quero in early stretch in early stretch and went past three more fillies and mares in the final furlong. Hollywood Story ($3.80) won by 2 1-2 lengths over Siphon Honey, finishing 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.42.

Siphon Honey, a 13-1 outsider, finished 1 1-4 lengths in front of House of Fortune in the field of seven fillies and mares.

Hollywood Story has won three stakes at Hollywood Park, including the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet in 2003 and the Bayakoa Handicap last December. Owned by George Krikorian, Hollywood Story, 4, has won 3 of 14 starts and $638,585.