Liberian Freighter wires field in Arcadia

In the case of Liberian Freighter on Saturday, good things came to those who waited, and waited, and waited some more.

Liberian Freighter delayed the start of the Grade 2, $150,000 Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita, refusing to come to the gate for several minutes. But after finally making his way there, he loaded perfectly, leaped out of the gate, and led his six rivals on a merry chase, scoring a front-running victory in the one-mile grass race for older horses.

Liberian Freighter ($20.40), under jockey Martin Garcia, just did hold off a host of late-runners to prevail by a half-length. Blue Chagall, who had tracked him throughout, was second, with late-running Jeranimo a fast-finishing third. Caracortado, the 4-5 favorite, finished fifth, but was beaten just 1 1/2 lengths after being last, and trailing by eight lengths, midway through the race.