Leroidesanimaux takes Inglewood

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Leroidesanimaux lowered the course record for 1 1-16 miles on turf at Hollywood Park with a frontrunning win in Saturday's $110,900 Inglewood Handicap.

Ridden by Jon Court, Leroidesanimaux was timed in 1:38.45, a clocking that was .32 seconds faster than Fantastic Fellow's previous mark set in the 1998 running.

Leroidesanimaux ($13.60) led narrowly over Devious Boy through early fractions of 23.71 and 46.90 seconds. On the final turn, Leroidesanimaux began to pull clear of Devious Boy, leading by a length in the stretch. Only Designed for Luck was a threat in the final furlong, but was beaten two lengths.

Leroidesanimaux gave Court his first stakes winner at Hollywood Park.

"He rated kindly on the front end, and when I called on him, he had plenty of finish," said Court, who moved to California from the Midwest in late March.

Devious Boy finished third in the field of nine. Top contenders Irish Warrior and Just Wonder finished fourth and fifth.

Leroidesanimaux gave absentee trainer Bobby Frankel his fourth win in the Inglewood. A Brazilian-bred 4-year-old, Leroidesanimaux races for TNT Stud.

The Grade 3 Inglewood was Leroidesanimaux's third consecutive win, preceded by two allowance races at Santa Anita. In Brazil last June, Leroidesanimaux finished second in a Group 1 over about a mile on turf. In his career, Leroidesanimaux has won 4 of 7 starts and $144,337.