Irish-Bred Is a Clear Winner at Santa Anita
Blending Element won for the fifth time in eight American starts on Wednesday, rallying to beat Verinha by one length in the $75,925 Reloy Handicap at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Garrett Gomez and carrying high weight of 118 pounds, Blending Element covered 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:02 and, as the 4-5 favorite in a field of six, paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20.
The victory was the sixth in 15 starts for Blending Element and was worth $45,555, increasing the career earnings of the 5-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Great Commotion to $207,524.
Gomez was a substitute rider for Eddie Delahoussaye, who did not ride for a second consecutive day because of a sinus condition.
Verinha, ridden by Gary Stevens and carrying 115 pounds, crossed the finish line a nose in front of Kicken Grass and returned $3.60 and $2.80.
Kicken Grass, a 41-1 longshot ridden by Matt Garcia and carrying 109 pounds, was 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Call Me at the wire and paid $2.80 to show.
Trendy Cindy was fifth and Celibataire last in the race for fillies and mares.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
