Takarian Does It the American Way

There was no doubt a horse who started his career in Europe was going to win Sunday’s $150,000 American Handicap at Hollywood Park.

However, Takarian, who ran five times in Ireland before coming to the United States, wasn’t supposed to be the import who won the Grade II race.

Takarian, the longest shot in the field of six at 31-1, found an opening along the inside under jockey Garrett Gomez and got up to beat Montemiro by a neck in 1:47 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Providing trainer C. Beau Greely, 27, with the biggest win of his career, the 4-year-old son of Doyoun’s upset came two weeks after he had lost as the 9-5 favorite in an optional claimer.

Takarian, owned by Andrea Pollack’s Columbine Stable, John Greely III and Thomas Nichols, won for the first time since he Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Derby on Oct. 10.

Dr Fong, the 8-5 favorite, was a no-excuse fourth, beaten a neck and two noses. He has lost six times in a row since arriving from England last year.

Montemiro, the 3-1 third choice, was second, then came pacesetter Special Quest, Dr Fong, 2-1 second-choice Eternity Range and Magellan.

*

Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. continued to have a successful weekend with an impressive victory aboard 7-2 shot Salish Shaman in the $87,600 Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Salish Shaman, making his Hollywood Park debut after winning four of five at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields, was second while Freespool ran off to a long lead, then took the lead in the stretch and drew away to win by five lengths in 1:14 2/5 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

Owned by Margaret and Leslie Johnson and trained by Mark Glatt, the 3-year-old Apalachee gelding gave Pincay his second consecutive win in the Henson and second stakes win in two days. He rode Virginie to an upset victory over Tranquility Lake in the Beverly Hills Handicap on Saturday.

Love That Red, the 7-10 favorite in a race in which National Saint, Sea Twister and Apremont were all scratched, was second, then came O’Rey Fantasma, Treasure Hunt and Freespool.