Acclamation Set for Whittingham Defense

“I hope I can do it again,” said trainer Don Warren from his Santa Anita base Thursday as he put the final touches on Acclamation in defense of his crown in the $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap Saturday at Hollywood Park.

“Everything has gone according to plan,” said Warren, happy that the 5-year-old horse has not missed a beat since winning the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap by seven lengths here for the second consecutive year May 14.

Acclamation drew the rail in a field of six under Joe Talamo in the Grade I test at 1 ¼ miles on turf. The Old English Rancho homebred seeks to join John Henry, winner of the race in 1980, ’81 and ’84, as the only horse to win it more than once.

“He proved he can win on the lead or lay second or third,” said Warren. “He’s a speed that is able to rate.’’

Acclamation, a California-bred son of Unusual Heat, hopes to continue his love affair with this turf course. He has won four of seven starts and earned $406,860 on the Hollywood Park grass. He has managed only one win in 17 starts over other surfaces. His total earnings are $608,048.