Street Icon Relishes Hillside Course

Street Icon split horses a furlong out and won Thursday’s seventh race at Santa Anita, a first-condition, $58,000 allowance for 3-year-olds, prevailing by three quarters of a length under Corey Nakatani while negotiating 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:11.76.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and dispatched as the 2-1 second choice in a field of seven, Street Icon paid $6.20, $4.20 and $2.60.

Well in-hand down the hill while four lengths off pace setter Oh Daddy Oh and Joe Talamo approaching the dirt crossing at the top of the lane, the Kentucky-bred gelding by Street Boss was crying out for room approaching the furlong marker and quickly collared longshot Gangnam Guy and Victor Espinoza to win going away.

“Today, when we crossed the dirt, he took off with me a little bit,” said Nakatani.  “He’s always wanting to ‘go’ but I’m trying to teach him not to do it so fast.  He’s such an athletic horse but our main concern is to try and get him to relax.”

Owned by J.W. Singer, LLC, Street Icon picked up $34,800 for the win and notched his second win from four starts.

“He got in a little bit of trouble, but Corey got him through, overcame it and he showed his true colors today,” said Hollendorfer.

Gangnam Guy made a three-wide bid turning for home and finished three quarters of a length in front of fast finishing 6-5 favorite Toowindytohaulrox.  Gangnam Guy paid $11.20 and $5.00.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Toowindytohaulrox paid $2.40 to show.

There is a Pick Six carryover into Friday of $48,053, and it is expected the total pool will exceed $250,000.  The Pick Six will cover races three through eight.  First post time is 1 p.m.