Conniption Wins Thursday Feature

Conniption was a winner in her second start in the United States, defeating Turns My Head and five other 3-year-old fillies in the $44,800 feature on Thursday at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Simon Callaghan for owner Michael Tabor, the daughter of Danehill Dancer and the Sadler’s Wells mare Showbiz finished fast to win by 1 ¼ lengths as the 2-1 favorite.

Third, beaten by one length, in her first in the country on April 18 at Santa Anita, Conniption didn’t break particularly well and had only Glendive behind her after a half-mile, was taken to the outside by jockey Brice Blanc and surged to the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile.

In winning for the second time in five starts, Conniption, who was bred in Ireland  by Barronstown Stud, increased her earnings to $50,078. Her other win came against maidens in her career debut last July 17 at Newbury in Great Britain.

Covering the one mile on turf in 1:36.09, Conniption paid $6.20, $3.40 and $2.40. Turns My Head, another Irish bred, paid $6.60 and $3.20. The 6-1 shot finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of 5-1 third choice Glendive. The show price on Glendive, who was making her first start in California after winning three of seven in Arizona, was $3.

Pure Class, the 2-1 second choice, was fourth, followed by Pink Blossom, Bonita Sonador and Cash Queen Anna.

Blanc also won the seventh with Brushburn. The victory was the second in 11 days for the 4-year-old gelded son of Unusual Heat and the Afternoon Deelites mare Little Hottie. The California bred has won three of six since being claimed for $25,000 by trainer Steve Knapp for owners Albert and Kathleen Mattivi LLC on Jan. 30.

Racing continues Friday night at Hollywood Park. Post time is 7:05 p.m.