Muir Beach delivers as favorite

Muir Beach dismissed rumors of her demise as the two-time defending horse of the meet bounced back from a mini-slump with a strong win Saturday in the $40,000 Queen of the Green Handicap at Turf Paradise.

The 5-year-old Muir Beach, owned by Dennis Weir and trained by Dan McFarlane, was sent off the 7-5 favorite in the mile turf race. Under leading rider Glenn Corbett, she bided her time, found room along the rail, burst through, and shot clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She covered the distance in 1:36.08 on firm turf.

Me O Me O My, who beat Muir Beach on this course Oct. 23, finished second, with Beaulena third. California shipper and 2-1 second choice Revealed was a non-threatening eighth.

Muir Beach paid $4.80 and earned $24,000. She now has 15 wins from 37 starts for earnings of $484,044.