Let’s Elope Wins Feature Over Skimble at Hollypark

Australian champion Let’s Elope outdueled Skimble in the final strides to win Thursday’s $60,000 feature race on the turf at Hollywood Park.

Let’s Elope, bred in New Zealand, finished a head in front of Skimble, with Wedding Ring another 1 1/4 lengths behind.

Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela and carrying 117 pounds, Let’s Elope covered the 1 1/16 miles on the grass in 1:40 4/5.

A field of five contested the allowance race for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up. Gumpher was scratched after rearing up in the starting gate.

Let’s Elope, the winner of 10 of 20 career starts in Australia for earnings of $2.3 million (U.S.), paid $5.20, $3.40 and $2.20 as the wagering favorite of the Hollywood Park crowd of 7,642.

Skimble, ridden by Corey Nakatani and also carrying 117, paid $4.40 and $2.60.