Much-improved Central Heat captures Golden Poppy

, Russell

A one-time bottom-level claimer, Central Heat ($6.40) capped her spectacular rise back up the ranks with the victory as she wore down pacesetting Sing and Tell and Theatre Star in the lane of the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for fillies and mares. She defeated Theatre Star by a neck with Sing and Tell, who was making her first start since last Sept. 11, another one-half length back.

Central Heat, a 6-year-old Unusual Heat mare, sat fourth behind Sing and Tell's honest fractions, just in front of Theatre Star.

Theatre Star got first run on the winner midway around the second turn, saving ground along the inside. Central Heat swung five wide to set up a clear run turning for home.

Sing and Tell dug in gamely, but Theatre Star and Central Heat proved too much for her.

Theatre Star, who had started only once this year, running fourth in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, dueled to the wire but was outfinished by Central Heat, who was a mild favorite over her.

Ridden by Russell Baze, Central Heat dug in and was not to be denied with her stretch kick. She has now won six of her past seven starts. The only loss was by three-quarters of a length to Luscious Lonna in the Miss America last October. Luscious Lonna had won the past two runnings of the Golden Poppy.

Baze, 5 for-5 aboard Central Heat, said, "She's just really professional. A couple horses went by her, but I didn't want to move that early. When I moved her out and then asked her in the stretch, she responded. I wish they were all as genuine as she is."

The victory was worth $39,500, lifting Central Heat's earnings to $254,691 as she won for the 12th time in her career.

"I bought her from Ellen Jackson," said winning trainer Bill Delia. "She's by Unusual Heat, and they get better with age. I thought I could do some good with her and win some races, but I didn't expect this."