Stockton: Special Holiday runs down favorite in Pink Ribbon

STOCKTON, Calif. – Special Holiday rallied through the lane, pulling away from favored Dawnie Macho even after her rider dropped his whip as she scored an emphatic victory in the $56,690 Pink Ribbon Stakes at the San Joaquin Fair on Saturday.

Special Holiday ($7) sat in midpack early as Dawnie Macho opened a three-length lead in the opening quarter of the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies. The favorite, making her first start since fading to last in the Time To Leave Stakes at Hollywood Park on May 1, cruised comfortably on an unchallenged lead into the stretch.

Russell Baze kept Special Holiday in the clear while in the three path and cut into Dawnie Macho’s lead in the lane, pulling away to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:11.63. False Statement finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Dawnie Macho.

A Private Gold homebred for trainer Bud and Billie Klokstad, Special Holiday improved her career record to 3 wins in 5 starts with $73,860.