Victory for R Friar Tuck Is an Inside Job

R Friar Tuck found room along the rail on the turn for home and drew away to beat Westport Landing by a length in the $57,000 feature at Santa Anita on Friday.

R Friar Tuck won for the first time since upsetting the field in the 1994 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by apprentice Brice Blanc, R Friar Tuck covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 2/5 and paid $7, $3.20 and $2.80 as the 5-2 third choice.

Westport Landing, the 2-1 second choice, put in a late run on the outside but finished second and returned $3.20 and $2.60. Phoenician finished third and paid $3.60. Nucay, the 2-1 favorite, finished last.

R Friar Tuck sat well off the early pace set by La Taj. As the field turned for home, Blanc rushed R Friar Tuck into the front when a hole developed along the rail.

The victory, worth $31,350, increased his lifetime earnings to $205,485, with four victories in 16 starts.