Voodoo Dancer wins Beverly Hills Handicap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Voodoo Dancer continued her successful raids in Southern California with a stretch-running rally in Saturday's $200,000 at Hollywood Park.

Making her seventh career appearance in Southern California, and fifth in the last 13 months, Voodoo Dancer won the longest race of her career in the Grade 2 Beverly Hills, run over 1 1-4 miles on turf.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Voodoo Dancer overcame an ultra slow pace set by Damaschino - 26.05 and 50.49 seconds. Fourth on the backstretch, eight lengths behind Damaschino, Voodoo Dancer moved closer with three furlongs remaining. She passed Se Vera and a fading Damaschino on the final turn and engaged Dublino with a furlong remaining.

Racing wide, Voodoo Dancer ($7.20) passed Dublino in the final furlong and won by three-quarters of a length, finishing in 2:00.80.

Dublino, the even-money favorite, was followed by Megahertz, Damaschino and Se Vera. Tates Creek was scratched early Saturday.

Voodoo Dancer has won three California stakes in her career, including the 2001 Flawlessly Stakes at Hollywood Park and the Palomar Handicap at Del Mar last summer.

Based in New York with trainer Christophe Clement, Voodoo Dancer has won 10 of 19 starts and $1,127,952 for Green Hills Farm.