Willow o Wisp holds on

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - When Willow o Wisp turned for home with a two-length lead in Sunday's $153,450 at Hollywood Park, the gelding was essentially assured of a top two finish.

Willow o Wisp had set slow fractions - 25.15 and 48.96 seconds - and seemed to have plenty left to hold off the hot favorite Osidy.

"I thought, if he was good enough, he'd win," trainer Vladimir Cerin said. "If not, Osidy would win."

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Willow o Wisp had more than enough in reserve. Recording his first stakes win, Willow o Wisp ($7.60) finished two lengths clear of 4-5 Osidy, who was stuck in traffic on the final turn. Willow o Wisp ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.59. Honorable Coach finished third in the field of five 3-year-olds.

The result was a reverse of the Grade 3 Will Rogers Stakes on May 28 when Osidy caught Willow o Wisp to win by a head.

Owned by Robert Alexander, Willow of Wisp has won 3 of 10 starts and $179,240.