Smiling Tiger overcomes poor start to take San Carlos

Smiling Tiger overcame a poor start, in which he stumbled and had to be taken far off the pace, to run down Captain Cherokee by a head in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita.

Ridden for the first time by Joel Rosaro, the 4-year-old Smiling Tiger was fourth in midstretch but then surged inside the final furlong to get up at the wire while completing the seven furlongs in 1:20.30.

Captain Carlos was second with Mythical Power third and Ventana fourth.

There was a stewards’ inquiry involving the stretch run, where Ventana appeared to be squeezed back, but the order of finish remained unchanged.