Stratham rallies to win La Puente

ARCADIA, Calif. - Benefiting from a rail trip throughout, Stratham rallied through the stretch to win Saturday's $108,600 for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita.

Fourth on the backstretch, Stratham ($8.40) was third in mid-stretch when he responded to urging by jockey David Cohen to reach the front.

"I think that was the difference," trainer Tim Yakteen said the rail-saving trip.

Stratham won by 1 1-2 lengths over Genre, who raced wide on the final turn. Lightning Hit, last in the field of seven on the final turn, finished third. Scootin George, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth after racing near the front until the final furlong.

Stratham finished a mile 1:36.09. Owned by Jerry Jamgotchian, Stratham has won 3 of 10 starts and $131,993. He won the Pinjara Stakes last October in his first start after arriving from England.

The La Puente was Stratham's second start of the year, preceded by a fourth in the Pasadena Stakes last month.