Monterey Jazz wins Strub

A winner twice in eight starts sprinting, Monterey Jazz has become a different animal around two turns.

Trained by Craig Dollase for Tom Arndt’s A&R; Stables LLC and Joe Masino’s Class Racing Stable, the 4-year-old Thunderello colt won his third in a row since being stretched out and he proved he could handle more than a mile and something other than turf.

Asked to go an additional eighth of a mile in his return to the main track, Monterey Jazz couldn’t have been more impressive taking the $300,000 Strub on Saturday at Santa Anita.

The front-runner assumed his normal position early under jockey David Flores, opened a commanding lead around the far turn and was never seriously menaced en route to the biggest score of his career.

Monterey Jazz, the 5-1 third choice in the Grade II, won by 4 1/2 lengths over even-money favorite Tiago, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.65, just missing the Cushion Track record of 1:45.64 set a week earlier by Go Between in the Sunshine Millions Classic.

Into Mischief, who ended 2007 with a victory in the Hollywood CashCall Futurity, is not the only Triple Crown hopeful for owner B. Wayne Hughes in the barn of trainer Richard Mandella.

Crown Of Thorns, a 3-year-old son of Repent, looked as if he could be a major player in the coming months after an authoritative win in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.

Making his first start around two turns, the 17-10 favorite found an opening along the inside approaching the stretch and went on to win by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Victor Espinoza.

In winning for the second time in three races, Crown Of Thorns, a $300,000 2-year-old purchase last March in his native Florida, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.76.

Intangaroo, the longest shot in the field at nearly 27-1, was up in the final strides to win the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita.

Making her first start in a stakes of any kind, the 4-year-old Orientate filly became a Grade I winner by edging Society Hostess in 1:20:71 for the seven furlongs. It was the first Grade I victory for jockey Alonso Quinonez and Gary Sherlock, who trains Intangaroo.

Hystericalady, the 3-10 favorite, checked in fourth in the field of five. Her disappointing effort led to fat show prices as about 90% of the show pool was wagered on Hystericalady.

Intangaroo, who paid $55.80 to win, paid $32.00 to show. Society Hostess returned $5.20 to place and $18.20 to show and Overly Tempting, who tired late after setting a rapid pace, paid $16.80.

Spring At Last, a 6-1 longshot, won his third in a row and became a Grade I winner with a victory for trainer Doug O’Neill and owners Paul Reddam and WinStar Farm LLC in the $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

The California Horse Racing Board has filed complaints against three local trainers for medication violations.

A post-race sample taken from Chicks Rule, who won the third race on Jan. 17 at Santa Anita for O’Neill, exceeded the permitted level of total carbon dioxide, a violation the barn also had a couple of years ago. No hearing with the stewards has been scheduled.

Horses trained by Melody Conlon and David La Croix exceeded the permitted level for the bronchodilator clenbuterol.

A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16 for Conlon and for La Croix the next day.

--

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com