Ayanna Bounces Back With an Easy Victory

Ayanna, a 2-year-old filly that had been eased before the finish of her last race, led almost from the start Sunday at Hollywood Park and won the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes by 31/2 lengths.

Mike Smith, riding Ayanna for the first time, picked up the win while Garrett Gomez, who rode the filly in her ill-fated run in the Oak Leaf at Santa Anita, wound up on Ponche De Leona, the second-place finisher. Unforgettable R N was third, beaten by 41/2 lengths.

Trainer Kory Owens said that Ayanna had been vanned in 100-degree heat from his Hollywood Park barn to Santa Anita for the Oak Leaf, then the filly spooked at something she saw on the track and jammed her shoulder.

Ayanna, who had one win and two seconds before the Oak Leaf, was still favored in the Moccasin and paid $5.80 after running seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5.

“I got a chance to get on her the other morning, and that really helped,” Smith said. “My game plan was to sit as still as possible and let her do her thing. I didn’t even use the stick on her because I don’t think it would matter.”