Proposed wins battles early and late

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Proposed survived a race-long battle on the front and a late threat from favored Star Parade to win the $168,000 at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

It was not an easy race for Proposed, who races for Marty and Pam Wygod and trainer John Shirreffs. She fought for the lead with Somethinaboutlaura, lost the lead on the final turn, regained it in the final furlong, and was fully extended to beat Star Parade by a head. Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Proposed ($5) ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.92. Somethinaboutlaura finished third, followed by Freakin Streakin and Memorette in the field of fillies and mares.

The Grade 2 Milady was Proposed's third stakes win of the year, preceded by the Grade 2 El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita in January and the B. Thoughtful Stakes for California-bred female sprinters here on April 30.

"I beat that other filly sprinting and I thought she'd [fade] quicker than she did," Valenzuela said of Somethinaboutlaura. "I had to hit [Proposed] and she responded. She seems to be maturing, and I hope she continues. She can get hot sometimes and try to kick the pony, but she was good today."

The result was the reverse of the Grade 1 Santa Maria Handicap in February, which Star Parade won by two lengths over Proposed.

Saturday, Star Parade was always chasing Proposed. Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Star Parade was third on the first turn and backstretch and moved closer on the second turn under a vigorous ride. With a three-wide rally, Star Parade closed ground through the stretch, passed Somethinaboutlaura in the final 50 yards, but could not catch Proposed.

Proposed, 4, has won 7 of 13 starts and $545,600.

Shirreffs completed a sweep of the two Saturday stakes when Costume Designer rallied in the final furlong to catch Starkay in the Great Lady M. Stakes for female turf sprinters.

Ridden by David Flores, Costume Designer ($12) ran 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:01.77. Toupie finished third in the field of six. Danclare was scratched at the gate because of unsoundness, according to track stewards.

Track record pick-six payout

The pick six returned a track record $1,540,401.60 to one ticketholder at Hollywood Park on Friday. In a result befitting the payoff, it was not an easy sequence of winners to find.

Beginning in the third race, the winners were Getnhotnhere ($82.40), Unusually Chic ($11.80), Bullet Train ($5.40), Unbeatable East ($21.60), Santa Fe ($21.40), and Investingold ($17).

The pick six carried over from Wednesday and Thursday. The payoff exceeded the previous record of $1,313,808 set in May 2004.