Say Ow Stays Undefeated on Cushion Track

Say Ow stayed undefeated over Cushion Track with a 5-1 surprise in the $54,000 feature Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

A maiden with six defeats when the Spring/Summer meet began, the gelded son of Langfuhr is 2-for-2 over the local main track after his two-length score over Curly Top and three other fellow 3-year-olds.

Owned by The Premae Company, LLC and trained by Julio Canani, Say Ow, who earned his first victory May 25, has banked $88,560 in eight starts.

Reserved off the pace set by R S Watson and 7-5 favorite Belvin, Say Ow bid outside that pair to gain the lead inside the final eighth of a mile and went on to the victory as the second longest shot in the field. Out of the Johar mare Lacy Lady, he covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.46. He paid $13.60, $6.80 and $3.20.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Curly Top, the 7-2 third choice, defeated stablemate Belvin by a half-length and returned $4.20 and $2.60. Belvin, who finished 2 ¾ lengths in front of R S Watson, who was seeking his third win in a row, paid $2.10 to show. Scherer Magic, the winner of the Grade III Hollywood Juvenile Championship in 2012, trailed throughout.

Earlier in the day, seven-pound apprentice jockey Arnold Perez collected his first win at Betfair Hollywood Park, winning the third race by a nose with first-time starter and 22-1 shot Santa Lucia.

Born in West Hills, California, Perez, 22, was 0-for-27 at the Spring/Summer meet prior to his success aboard Santa Lucia, a 2-year-old Bandini filly trained by part owner John O’Hara. Perez’s first career victory came aboard Seafire last Oct. 8 at Fresno.

Edwin Maldonado, the rider of runner-up Yodelmesomemagic, claimed foul against Perez and Santa Lucia, but the objection was dismissed by the stewards.