Sailors Sunset romps at Fairplex

Form prevailed Friday at Fairplex Park, where odds-on favorite Sailors Sunset pummeled four rivals in the $61,570 Foothill Stakes on opening day of the 16-day Los Angeles County Fair race meet.

Sailors Sunset was the third winner on the card for jockey Martin Pedroza, who made it look easy. Sailors Sunset ($3.20) pressed the early pace set by Hollywood Hood, took command at the three-eighths pole, opened up through the far turn, and coasted to the wire in front by 11 1/4 lengths.

Trained by Marcelo Polanco and owned by Everest Stables, Sailors Sunset completed the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.57. It was the third win in 10 starts for Sailors Sunset, a Petionville gelding. Knight's Last Star was up for second; Hey Slick finished third; pacesetter Hollywood Hood tired to fourth; B L's Danzig trailed throughout. There were four scratches, including morning-line favorite Paddy Murphy.

The win by Sailors Sunset capped a day of short prices. Eight of the 11 Thoroughbred races were won by the betting favorite, including four at odds-on. The $2 pick six with four favorites, a second choice, and a third choice returned $2,729.40.