Ruffled Feathers Takes Hollywood Feature
Making only her second start outside the California bred ranks, Ruffled Feathers took advantage of a quick pace to capture the $53,120 feature Friday night at Hollywood Park.
Trained by Paddy Gallagher for owners Richard Bronson, Steve Lavino, Michael Riordan and Anthony Shaw, the 4-year-old daughter of Include and the Awesome Again mare Diane Again rallied widest to win for the third time in eight starts on turf.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, the 7-2 third choice won by 1 ¼ lengths, completing the mile 1:35.03. Bred by Legacy Ranch, Inc., Ruffled Feathers has been worse than third only once on grass.
Second behind U R All That I Am, who has since won the Fran’s Valentine Stakes, in the B. Thoughtful on Cushion Track on April 24, Ruffled Feathers is 3-for-13 overall. Boosting her earnings to $168,054, she paid $9, $4.20 and $3.20.
El Nadia finished second for the third time in four starts for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, returning $5.20 and $3.80. The show price on Entabeni, one of two starters for trainer John Sadler in the race and the longest shot in the field at 28-1, was $9.40. She finished a head behind El Nadia.
Americas Dreaming, debuting for Sadler after making eight starts in Florida and New York for trainer Jim Toner, disappointed, finishing sixth as the 5-2 second choice. Lady Francesca, the 2-1 favorite, ran fourth.
Trying two turns for the first time since finishing off the board in the Hatoof last Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, Fleet Streak had a clear advantage after a swift 46.14 half mile, but began to falter entering the stretch, setting things up for the winner.
Racing resumes Saturday. Post time is 1 p.m.
The highlight of the 10 race program is the $250,000 Gamely Stakes, the first Grade 1 of the meet.
Tuscan Evening, who won four consecutive graded events at Santa Anita en route to Horse of the Meet honors, is the 9-5 morning line favorite in the 1 1/8 mile turf race.
The 5-year-old mare will have six opponents after the Friday morning scratch of Medaglia d’Amour.