Champion Pilot Goes Wire to Wire for 3-Length Win in El Monte ‘Cap
Champion Pilot won the $83,750 El Monte Handicap at Santa Anita by three lengths Saturday for his fourth victory of the meeting.
Taken to the front at the start by Chris McCarron, Champion Pilot widened his margin on the backstretch and held off the challenge of Silent Fox. Beldale Lear finished third, while Konewah was last.
Champion Pilot was clocked in 1:41 2/5, fastest time of the meeting for 1 1/16 miles, en route to his first career stakes win. The 4-year-old son of Exceller paid $4.20 and $2.00, Silent Fox $3.40. There was no show betting.
Laffit Pincay became the second leading rider in total victories by riding Sovereignty to a three-length win in the sixth race.
It was his 6,033rd career victory. Bill Shoemaker, 53, has 8,456. The retired John Longden had 6,032.
Pincay, 38, has been riding in the United States since 1966. His total includes 447 wins in his native Panama and in Venezuela.
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