Country Garden Is On for Her Honeymoon

Back with her own sex and getting the waiting trip she needed, Country Garden won for the third time in six U.S. starts, taking the $106,800 Honeymoon Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The 7-10 favorite against five other 3-year-old fillies, the British-bred daughter of Selkirk beat 9-1 shot Janine Rose by a length in 1:48 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux for trainer Walter Greenman and owner Ed McGrath, Country Garden was making her first start since racing against the boys in the California Derby last month at Golden Gate Fields.

“She’s been treating us too well,” McGrath said. “She sure can fly.”

Chenille, the 7-2 second choice in her U.S. debut, was third. Then came Phone Alex, Star’s Proud Penny and Ann Arbor.

Later on the card, 8-1 shot Vetheuil rallied for his first victory since May 1, 1996, winning by a neck over 2-1 favorite Via Lombardia in the $72,700 Fastness Handicap.

Brice Blanc was aboard Vetheuil, a 6-year-old Riverman horse, for owner B. Wayne Hughes and trainer Ron Ellis, and he ran the mile on turf in 1:34 2/5.