Qaraaba Razor Sharp in US Bow
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Favored Qaraaba was a last-to-first winner in her United
States debut in the $52,700 feature Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Content to trail after a sluggish start under jockey Julien
Leparoux, the 5-year-old daughter of Shamardal out of the Unfuwain mare
Mokaraba swung to the outside early in the stretch and easily swept past her
six rivals nearing the wire.
Owned by Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor and making her
initial appearance for trainer Simon Callaghan, Qaraaba, who was racing on
Lasix for the first time, completed the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:41.07. The 1½
length win was the sixth in 14 starts for the English bred and increased her
earnings to $81,119. Five of her wins have come in 12 races over grass.
The 9-10 choice, Qaraaba paid $3.80, $3.60 and $3. Plaza de Indias, who
gained a short lead with about an eighth of a mile remaining, finished three-quarters
of a length in front of I Dazzle, who was a nose better than 7-2 second choice
Left a Message.
Making her first start for trainer Angel Rodriguez, Plaza de
Indias, who was 10-1, paid $6.40 and $4.20. The show price on I
Dazzle was $3.40.
Silver Hustler finished fifth ahead of Sizzling Gold and
Romantic Wish, who disputed the pace through the first six furlongs. Smart
Striking and Triveni were scratched.
Although he had to settle for third aboard I Dazzle, Rafael
Bejarano won three times Thursday to take over sole possession of the lead in
the jockey standings. Bejarano has eight wins through five days of the Autumn
meet, leaving him two clear of Edwin Maldonado, who had a pair of victories
Thursday.
Racing will resume Friday. Post time is 12:30 p.m. Track
gates will open at 10 a.m.
The fourth race will feature the much anticipated debut of
Eblouissante, the 3-year-old half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta.
Corey Nakatani will ride the daughter of Bernardini for owner-breeder Eric
Kronfeld and trainer John Shirreffs.
This will also be the second Fiesta Friday, featuring food
and drink specials, including Mexican munchies, between 2-4p.m. and Gold Club
members can enter to win a $100 mutuel voucher.
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