College Town Wins Barrera Handicap

Horse owner David Brown couldn’t have asked for much more Saturday.

His son, Gary, was married in Napa and his 3-year-old gelding College Town proved his victory in last month’s California Cup Classic was no fluke by winning the $112,300 Lazaro S. Barrera Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Although Brown and trainer Mel Stute weren’t on hand to see College Town’s $13.60 score, all they had to do was remember the 33-1 shocker in the Cal Cup because the Barrera was a carbon copy.

Off the pace early under Laffit Pincay, the son of Snow Chief again rallied along the inside and beat 24-1 shot Just Java by nearly two lengths in 1:41 for 1 1/16 miles.

“Pincay’s a genius,” said Stute, who called the Hollywood Park press box and listened to the race over the phone. “This really makes this a totally perfect day.”

The race used to be called the Affirmed Handicap, but it was renamed the Barrera in honor of the Hall of Fame trainer, who died in 1991.

“I do recall that I was excited about winning this race two years ago (on $57.40 upsetter Star Recruit) because it had been named after Laz Barrera,” Pincay said. “He was so special to me. It’s a very sentimental thing to me. Laz was a great trainer and a good friend. I felt very good to see his wife (Carmen) in the winner’s circle. It was just so nice for me.”

Horse Racing Notes

Betting on the eight races simulcast from Hong Kong Friday night exceeded the expectations of Hollywood Park management. The total California handle was $311,472 on the races, which began at 9:30 p.m. local time and concluded at 1 a.m. Saturday morning. “The Hong Kong races were a hit,” Hollywood Park chairman R.D. Hubbard said. “People like the action. We saw people at the racetrack and in the (Hollywood Park) casino who were here for the first time because of the Hong Kong races.”