Dr. Fager's Gal Dominates Beverly J. Lewis Stakes

Favored Dr. Fager’s Gal tracked pacesetter Windy Forecast, then drew clear in the final eighth of a mile to easily win the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes, the opening day feature of the Fall meet at Los Alamitos.

The 13-10 favorite against four other 3-year-old fillies, the daughter of Wild Desert and the Quiet American mare won for the third time in seven starts, completing the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.45.

Owned by Luke Allen, Ed Bloom, Jose Singer and Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Dr. Fager’s Gal was ridden by Martin Pedroza, who has been aboard for all of her victories. The $45,000 payday increased her earnings to $150,380.

Dr. Fager’s Gal, who won by 3 ¾ lengths over 7-1 shot Little Emma, returned $4.60, $3 and $2.20.

Making her first appearance at Los Alamitos since she was a debut winner against $30,000 maidens July 5, paid $6.20 and $2.60. The show price on Windy Forecast, who finished 1 ¼ lengths behind Little Emma, as the 2-1 second choice, was $2.20.

Colerful Bride, the 5-2 second choice making her first start for Hollendorfer, and Campionessa Dolce completed the order of finish.

The stakes win was the ninth at Los Alamitos – including the Orange County Fair  meets (1977-1991) – for Pedroza, tying him with Hall of Famer Chris McCarron for third on the all-time list. The leader is Corey Black (13), three more than Frank Olivares.

 “I thought I was on the best horse and I was only afraid of (Windy Forecast) because she’s quicker than my filly,’’ said Pedroza, who capped a double with a victory aboard Brownie Finale in the eighth race.

“We were able to sit outside her and my filly finished strong.’’

Los Alamitos showed a handle increase in comparison to the first Thursday (Sept. 11) of the inaugural Fall meet in 2014. The handle was $3,723,716.08 Thursday compared to $3,476,336.46 a year earlier.