Return to turf helps Cell Line Forever reverse form in Glendale

Cell Line Forever rallied from last to capture Saturday’s $25,000 Glendale Handicap at Turf Paradise, leading a 1-2-3-4 finish for horses exiting the Jan. 8 Kachina Handicap which was run on the main track.

Oddly enough, Cell Line Forever, owned by George Todaro and trained by Wade Rarick, performed by far the worst of those four horses in the Kachina, finishing last of seven, beaten 29 lengths. However, the return to turf in the Glendale got her back on track. Under Jake Barton, Cell Line Forever lagged back in last early in the field of six going 1 1/16 miles, bided her time, and came with an energetic run to grab the lead late and win going away by 1 1/4 lengths.

Table Mesa, previously third in the Kachina, stalked the pace as the 6-5 favorite, had a clear lead in midstretch but couldn’t fend off the winner, finishing second, a neck in front of Snuggs and Kisses, winner of the Kachina. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Amber Got Even in fourth, the same position she held in the Kachina. The race complexion changed when top contender Let’s Dream Again was scratched.

Cell Line Forever ($13), a 4-year-old daughter of Globalize, ran the distance in 1:41.74. The winner’s share of $15,000 gives her a career mark of 4 wins from 13 starts for $54,990.