Redattore triumphant in Citation

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Redattore is ending his 2003 campaign the same way it began - as the top turf miler in California.

Saturday, Redattore ended a three-race losing streak with a hard-fought win in the $400,000 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park. Last spring, he won the Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita and the Shoemaker Mile here.

In the Grade 2 Citation, Redattore, 8, held off a determined rally from 6-5 favorite Irish Warrior to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Owned by Luis Alfredo Tuanay and trained by Richard Mandella, Redattore finished 1 1-16 miles on turf in 1:40.74.

Mister Acpen finished third, followed by Green Line, Nicobar and Captain Squire.

Redattore was ridden by Julie Krone, who swept Saturday's two stakes, having won the Generous Stakes with Castledale.

Redattore ($7.40) surprised Krone with his tactics during the race. On the backstretch, Krone noticed that Redattore was eager to engage pacesetters Captain Squire and Mister Acpen.

She said Redattore "took a breather" on the final turn and then quickened when challenged by Irish Warrior on the outside in early stretch.

"I'm afraid of Irish Warrior. I thought, Anybody but him," Krone said. "But Red just stayed ahead of him. He was so competitive."

Irish Warrior was last of six on the backstretch. He reached contention on the final turn.

"I tried to surprise him but the other horse had too much left," said David Flores, who rode Irish Warrior. "They came home very strong."

Redattore was winless since the Shoemaker Mile, a span that included losses in the Eddie Read and Live the Dream handicaps at Del Mar and the Seabiscuit Handicap at Santa Anita. A Brazilian-bred, Redattore has won 14 of 31 starts and $1,709,803.