'Yogi' pulls upset in Cinderella Stakes

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Yogi's Polar Bear, appearing in her second stakes as a maiden, pulled an upset in Sunday's $84,975 at Hollywood Park.

After finishing second in a maiden race at Keeneland in April and the Nursery Stakes last month, Yogi's Polar Bear was dismissed at 8-1 in the Cinderella.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza for trainer Wesley Ward, Yogi's Polar Bear ($19) rallied from fourth to win by three lengths over Smoke Break. Yogi's Polar Bear finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.57.

Espinoza kept Yogi's Polar Bear off the pace early, chasing Smoke Break who set a quick pace of 21.77 and 44.98 seconds while being closely followed by two recent maiden winners, Hot Weekend and Dirty Diana.

Hot Weekend, the 3-2 favorite, and Dirty Diana, who was 5-2, faded from contention on the turn when Yogi's Polar Bear briefly engaged Smoke Break before pulling clear.

"She's got a big heart," Ward said. "I'm hopeful she will have a big future because she's very sound."

Outrageous Oyster, who was sixth early, finished third in the field of nine. Wacky Patty, the winner of the Nursery Stakes, finished fourth. Sent off at 3-1, Wacky Patty bobbled and raced in traffic on the backstretch before passing half the field in the stretch.

Yogi's Polar Bear races for a partnership and has earned $70,345. Ward said Yogi's Polar Bear will reappear in the Landaluce Stakes on July 4.