Inesperado takes Cinema Breeders' Cup

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Inesperado launched his American career with a dramatic victory in Sunday's $182,600 Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Making his first start after being privately acquired from France, Inesperado was patiently ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who rallied his mount along the rail in the final furlong to catch the frontrunning entry of Regiment and Johar.

"He bulled his way through there," Desormeaux said. "What a turn of foot he had in the last eighth of a mile."

Inesperado ($7.40) won the Grade 3 Cinema by a nose over Regiment, the stronger half of a favored entry owned by Thoroughbred Corp. Inesperado finished 1 1-8 miles on turf in 1:47.63 for his fifth win in 10 starts. In France, he won a minor stakes and placed in a listed race at Maisons-Laffitte in March before being purchased by Charles Kenis and turned over to trainer Bobby Frankel.

Typical of many French imports, Inesperado was not a factor early.

Point Prince and Sunkosi set the pace, but Point Prince was pulled up midway on the backstretch, leaving Sunkosi and Regiment on the lead.

Regiment took control at the end of the backstretch and was joined by Johar on the final turn. "I really didn't want to go to the lead as early as I did," said David Flores, who rode Regiment.

Reginment's early move helped Inesperado, who was caught the leader in the final stride. Johar held third, folowed by Mananan McLir, Sunkosi and Gobi Dan. Point Prince was vanned off, but was reported to have not been injured, according to Jeff Siegel of the Team Valor partnership.

Frankel said Inesperado may return in the Del Mar Derby or the Secretariat Stakes later this summer.