In Summation lowers track record

In Summation reverted to his form of last summer in Tuesday's $108,900 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita, winning his fourth stakes in the last 12 months and easily beating the heavily favored Idiot Proof.

In Summation ($8.20) ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.27, a record for Santa Anita's synthetic track, which was installed last summer.

Idiot Proof, the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Monmouth Park in October, led briefly in the stretch but faded to finish third, 3 1/4 lengths behind In Summation as the 3-5 favorite in the field of five.

In Summation was fourth for the first half-mile, chasing a wicked pace of 21.01 and 43.25 seconds set by Barber. Under Corey Nakatani, In Summation rallied four wide on the turn and closed well through the final quarter-mile. In Summation trailed by less than a length with a furlong remaining and took the lead in the final sixteenth.

Trained by Christophe Clement for Waterford Stable, In Summation finished a length in front of Barbecue Eddie, who was 2 1/4 lengths in front of Idiot Proof.

"It set up well for us," said Nicholas Bachalard, Clement's assistant trainer in California. "I think he's better when he gets in a rhythm. He won, that's all that matters."

A 5-year-old, In Summation has won 9 of 20 starts and $815,166. Last summer, he won three consecutive stakes, including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar. The streak ended with a troubled second in the Grade 3 Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park on Dec. 2.

Bachalard said that In Summation will be pointed for the $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap at six furlongs here on Jan. 21.

"I'm happy to start the year in a good way," Bachalard said.