Red Arrow controls pace in Los Angeles Handicap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Red Arrow scored a front-running $18.80 upset in the Grade 3 Los Angeles Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park, but the 6-year-old's low-rated win in the six-furlong Los Angeles will add no stability to the West Coast sprint division.

Red Arrow and jockey Joe Talamo took advantage of a paceless field, made the lead even after a slow start, and scored a front-running win in an ordinary 1:08.92. Stakes-caliber sprinters normally run two- to three-fifths of a second faster on Cushion Track.

Red Arrow won by three-quarters of a length over Paul's Hope. Dehere Again finished three-quarters back in third. The order was completed by Siren Lure, Guns on the Table, Doppio, Northern Soldier, and Soul City Slew.

John Sadler trains Red Arrow for owners Gary and Cecil Barber, and associate Larry Nestadt. A 6-year-old from Australia, Red Arrow was imported with the express purpose of racing on synthetic, according to Gary Barber. Red Arrow was racing Saturday for the first time since a disappointing fourth as the even-money favorite March 21 in the $75,000 Golden Gate Sprint. The win was his fourth from 15 starts.

The pace scenario in the Los Angeles Handicap was tepid. Red Arrow scooted to the front even after a slow start, made the lead with an opening quarter in 21.94 seconds and a half-mile in 44.47 and was gone. Sadler said Red Arrow was likely to continue in six-furlong races, while his top sprinter Noble Court aims to the Grade 1, $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap at seven furlongs on July 5.