Miracle Horse Hangs On to Win at Santa Anita

Miracle Horse refused to yield when caught in the stretch by Pleasant Variety and held on for a wire-to-wire victory in the $43,000 turf feature Thursday at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting.

Laffit Pincay had Miracle Horse, the odds-on favorite of the crowd of 12,589, was out in front until Pleasant Variety pulled even at the sixteenth pole. But Miracle Horse pulled away again, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.

Miracle Horse, who carried high- weight of 121 pounds, paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20. The 4-year-old won $23,650 for Wildenstein Stable. It was his third victory in four starts since arriving in trainer Wayne Lukas’ barn from France.

Pleasant Variety, with Gary Stevens and 116 pounds, paid $3.60 and $2.80. Eliminate, with Martin Pedroza and 116, returned $3.80.