Odds-on Somethinaboutlaura cruises

Somethinaboutlaura ($2.80) performed exactly as expected, scoring an easy victory in the $68,763 Autumn Leaves Handicap at Bay Meadows.

The 4-year-old filly rated nicely behind Breeze Along despite being eased a little wide into the first turn by Penny Ante. She moved up on the backstretch, went by Breeze Along on the second turn, and was in control through the stretch. She defeated Royal Kleven by four lengths in the 1o1/16-mile race on a fast track, timed in 1:41.90.

"That's just the way it was supposed to go," winning jockey Russell Baze said after his 9,516th victory.

"The Sunshine Millions Distaff is our target," said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, referring to the race Jan. 27 at Santa Anita. He also plans to run Somethinaboutlaura in the $100,000 California Distaff Turf Championship at Bay Meadows on Dec. 9.

"We thought we had the advantage here," he said. "We didn't want to run in [next weekend's] Cat's Cradle at Hollywood, then try to come back up here."

Somethinaboutlaura was such a heavy favorite in the field of six that she created a minus $21,186.74 show pool.

She carried 124 pounds, spotting rivals seven to 10 pounds.

"It's always a concern," Hollendorfer said about the weight.

The victory, worth $39,475, was the third straight stakes win for Somethinaboutlaura, who has earned $540,460 and has 10 wins in 19 starts. She has earned $365,630 since being purchased for $375,000 in February.