Stately Don, Political Ambition Win Their Divisions in Hollywood Derby

Stately Don, whose trainer had debated whether to run him in the Breeders’ Cup Turf the day before, ran in the second division of the Hollywood Derby instead and delivered a three-length victory Sunday before 27,174.

Political Ambition, kept close to or on the lead in the first half of the Derby, resisted The Medic in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length.

Stately Don, who came to California with 13 other horses for trainer LeRoy Jolley, won his second American race after running in Ireland until mid-summer. He had been fourth in the Turf Classic at Belmont Park and in the Washington D.C. International in his last two starts.

With Jacinto Vasquez riding, favored Stately Don paid $6.60 to win, running 1 1/8 miles on grass in 1:47 2/5. Lockton ran second and Noble Minstrel was third.

Political Ambition, given little chance after having a rough trip and finishing sixth in the Volante Handicap at Santa Anita in his only previous stakes start, paid $35 and covered the distance in 1:48 1/5 under Eddie Delahoussaye. Light Sabre was third and Motley, the favorite, ran fourth.