Sky Jack takes Mervyn LeRoy

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Sky Jack overwhelmed five opponents in Sunday's $150,000 at Hollywood Park, drawing off in the final furlong to win by 5 1-2 lengths.

Sent off as the favorite, Sky Jack led throughout the Grade 2 Mervyn LeRoy. Ridden by Laffit Pincay, Jr., Sky Jack broke from the rail and set fractions of 23.75 and 46.78 seconds. Bosque Redondo got within a half-length midway down the backstretch, but Sky Jack, racing along the rail, slowly extended his lead. He put away Bosque Redondo on the second turn and quickly pulled clear, finishing 1 1-16 miles in 1:41.36.

"I didn't think he'd win like that," trainer Doug O'Neill said. "I think we had to go to the front. I was worried on the backstretch, but Laffit said he was never worried."

Bosque Redondo, the winner of the San Bernardino Handicap last month at Santa Anita, held second, and was followed by Devine Wind, Bay Head King, Last Parade and Agol Lack.

Sky Jack's convincing win erased any doubt about the 6-year-old's form following his most recent start, a last place finish in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 2.

Owned by Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds, Sky Jack has won 7 of 13 starts and $478,267. Unbeaten in four starts on dirt at Hollywood Park, Sky Jack could reappear in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 14, O'Neill said.