Dollase Is Tough Out at Del Mar

A .500 hitter at Hollywood Park, Craig Dollase is doing even better by the beach.

The leading trainer at Hollywood Park with 19 victories from 38 starters, Dollase, 27, is now two for two at Del Mar after heavily favored Daring General overcame a poor start to win the $135,600 Graduation Stakes on Wednesday.

Making his first start since breaking his maiden in his debut May 2 at Hollywood Park, the 3-5 favorite, coupled in the wagering with seventh-place finisher Sizzling Summer, stumbled leaving the gate, then was pinched between horses to be last early.

However, he and jockey Corey Nakatani, who won three other races on Wednesday, split horses on the turn, came wide into the stretch and beat 13-1 shot Tillie’s Victor by a head in 1:11 3/5 for the six furlongs.

“It was a great effort,” said Dollase, who trains the gelded son of General Meeting for owners John and Betty Mabee. “[Daring General] won going short [4 1/2 furlongs] at Hollywood Park, but he’s bred to run all day.”

Tillie’s Victor, who had broken his maiden 10 days earlier at Hollywood Park, finished 5 1/2 lengths in front of Reno Hightower, then came Tour Pure, Yosemite, the 5-1 second choice who was shut off when trying to rally late; Mountain Bear, Sizzling Summer, I’monfireforyou and What Say You.

Horse Racing Notes

Larry The Legend, who scored his biggest victory in the 1995 Santa Anita Derby, has been retired and will stand at Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm next year, according to owner-trainer Craig Lewis. A 6-year-old son of Local Talent, Larry The Legend finished with five victories in 17 starts and earnings of nearly $653,000. . . . Corey Nakatani won with 9-1 shot Biker Dude in the second race, 10-1 shot Zoelu in the third and 3-1 second-choice Beright in the eighth as well as Daring General.