Marwood takes Golden Poppy

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Making up for a rare dull effort in her previous start in the Hillsborough Handicap, Marwood ($4.40) turned in a powerful victory in the $55,550 Golden Poppy Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Marwood won the one-mile race for fillies and mares on a sloppy track, beating Beaucette by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:35.09.

Marwood and Beaucette sat off the fast pace set by Devil Dancing, who went the opening quarter in 21.81 seconds. Marwood gained momentum on the second turn, swinging two wide and taking command into the stretch. She was never threatened in the lane.

"She scared me last time when she didn't fire. It was great to see her come back running," winning jockey Ron Warren said. "At the half (-mile pole), she was going so sweet I knew the only way she'd lose was if I screwed something up."

Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he had no excuses for the 4-year-old filly after her fourth-place finish in the Hillsborough, which was run on the turf, and that he did "nothing different" in preparation for the Golden Poppy.

Marwood earned $30,800 for her seventh victory in 12 starts, increasing her career earnings to $210,800.