Hollywood: Uraib upsets again

Uraib has become the longshot player's friend since arriving from England earlier this year.

After paying $80 to win in an allowance race at Santa Anita in March and $30 to win in the Hillsborough Handicap at Bay Meadows in September, Uraib pulled an upset in Thursday's $65,110 for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Uraib ($21.60) ran 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:29.40. She was last of eight for the first six furlongs, well behind pacesetter Ponche de Leona, who set an early pace of 24.29 and 48.84 seconds.

Valdivia brought Uraib closer to the front-runners at the end of the backstretch. With a three-wide rally on the turn, Uraib engaged Nadeszhda, who briefly led. Uraib finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Nadeszhda, the even-money favorite. Test the Waters, the winner of the California Cup Distance Handicap last month, finished third.

The disappointment in the field was Noches de Rosa, the winner of the Grade 1 Gamely Breeders' Cup Handicap in May. She finished fifth, 11 1/2 lengths behind Uraib.

Uraib, 4, has won 4 of 17 starts and $155,164. Owned by Ron Charles and Clear Valley Stable and trained by Sandy Shulman, Uraib was fifth in the Grade 2 Las Palmas Handicap at Santa Anita on Oct. 31.