HOLLYWOOD PARK : Jahafil Makes a Pass to Win Murray ‘Cap

For the first time in his nine-race career in the United States, Jahafil passed a horse in the $108,700 Jim Murray Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The 7-year-old Rainbow Quest horse went by longshot pacesetter Newton’s Law on the turn, then held off favored Talloires to win by a head in 2:25 2/5 for the 1 1/2 miles on turf.

Owned by Ron Charles and Clear Valley Stables and trained by Sandy Shulmam, the 7-2 third choice, who was bred in England, now has 10 victories in 26 starts. Four of his wins have come since he was brought to this country, but he had always gone wire-to-wire.

Talloires, the 9-10 choice under Kent Desormeaux, finished seven clear of Exalto, then came Raintrap, the 5-2 second choice, Yakout, Swiss Mirage and Newton’s Law.

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Blaze O’Brien, a multiple-stakes winner who has earned more than $900,000, has been retired after breaking a sesamoid in his right front leg during a workout Saturday morning at Hollywood Park.

The 8-year-old gelded son of Interco, who was owned by Barry and Susan Isaacs, was preparing to run in the $150,000 American Handicap on Tuesday.

Surgery is scheduled for Monday on Blaze O’Brien, who finished his career with 13 victories, 13 seconds and six thirds in 50 starts. His last win came in the Inglewood Handicap on May 6.

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Horse Racing Notes

The victory in the Jim Murray aboard Jahafil was the 200th stakes success at Hollywood Park for Chris McCarron. . . . Once more, the card Saturday was dragged out. The 10-race program, which also featured two simulcasts from New York and Illinois, took more than five hours to complete. . . . Possibly Perfect, whose status for the race has been somewhat in doubt, is the 4-5 favorite for the $300,000 Beverly Hills Handicap, one of two other supporting features on today’s card. Trainer Bobby Frankel will also be represented by Wandesta in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. A race earlier, Mr Purple is the 7-5 choice against six other 3-year-olds in the $125,000 Affirmed Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.