Leroidesanimaux best in Citation

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The no nonsense Leroidesanimaux seems to like winning races more than the winner's circle ceremony.

After scoring his fifth consecutive victory in Saturday's $400,000 at Hollywood Park, Leroidesanimaux threw a minor fit when a blanket of flowers was draped over his neck. He quickly calmed after they were removed.

The tantrum was a reverse of his behavior during the race when Leroidesanimaux patiently stalked the pace to early stretch and held off a late run from 41-1 A to the Z to win by a half-length. Ridden by Jon Court, Leroidesanimaux ($8.20) finished 1 1-16 miles on turf in 1:41.36. The win marked the first success in a Grade 1 stakes for Leroidesanimaux, 4.

The race was marked by disappointing performances from several top contenders. Northing to Lose, who won the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland in October, finished sixth as the 5-2 favorite. Special Ring, the winner of the Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar in July, never reached his expected position at the front and finished last of 11.

Leroidesanimaux was third for the first six furlongs, tracking pacesetter Buckland Manor, who set early fractions of 23.71 and 48.18 seconds. Court kept Leroidesanimaux on the rail until early stretch before guiding Leroidesanimaux around Buckland Manor. Leroidesanimaux was quickly challenged by A to the Z, who drew within a neck in the final furlong.

"The race set up very much like a blueprint," Court said. "Fortunately, I was able to get through. He likes to be in a competitive spot, either on the lead or off of it."

A to the Z, who won the California Cup Mile in October, finished a length in front of Three Valleys, who had to fight his way through traffic in early stretch.

Leroidesanimaux races for T N T Stud and trainer Bobby Frankel. Bred in Brazil, Leroidesanimaux has won three consecutive stakes, a streak that includes the Inglewood Handicap here in May and the Morvich Handicap at Santa Anita in October. Leroidesanimaux has won 6 of 9 starts and $444,337.

*Dubleo won his fourth stakes in the $100,000 Generous Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Dubleo ($4.80) ran down pacesetter Littlebitofzip to win by three-quarters of a length, finishing a mile on turf in 1:37.21.

Littlebitofzip, a 41-1 shot, led by as many as four lengths, setting fractions of 23.96 and 47.56 seconds. Dubleo was second throughout and drew within 1 1-2 lengths in midstretch. He passed Littlebitofzip with 50 yards remaining.

Littlebitofzip held second, finishing a nose in front of Sunny Sky, an import from France.

Dubleo won stakes at Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park and Woodbine from late July to mid-September. Owned by James Scataurchio, Jake Pletcher and Pete Wetterman and trained by Todd Pletcher, Dubleo has won 6 of 9 starts and $360,899.