Maiden Picks Good Spot

The only maiden in the field, Yogi’s Polar Bear chose a good time to earn her first win.

An 8-1 longshot, the 2-year-old gray filly easily won the $84,975 Cinderella Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Wesley Ward for a partnership, the daughter of Lucky Lionel was ridden by Victor Espinoza and completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.57.

Second in her first two starts in a maiden race at Keeneland and in the Nursery Stakes nearly a month ago at Hollywood Park, Yogi’s Polar Bear, who was never far off the pace while racing on the outside, was the only member of the field who wasn’t entering off a victory.

Smoke Break, who had beaten only two rivals when collecting her maiden victory on May 1 at Bay Meadows, finished second at 11-1, three lengths behind the winner. Outrageous Oyster, the second longest shot in the Cinderella at 33-1, rallied to be third.

The three fillies who had the most support from the betting public all disappointed. Wacky Patty, who had beaten Yogi’s Polar Bear in the Nursery, finished fourth at 3-1, Dirty Diana, who had won her debut before being purchased privately by trainer Bob Baffert, was fifth at 5-2 and 3-2 favorite Hot Weekend was sixth.

“She’s a very nice filly,” Ward said. “She’s got a big heart. She’s tried hard in all three starts. She’ll be ready for the [$100,000] Landaluce [July 4].”

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One thing is certain about the $400,000 Californian, which will be run for the 50th time this Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Bobby Frankel won’t win the Grade II for a third consecutive year. Frankel, who won the final major prep for the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2001 with Skimming and with Milwaukee Brew in 2002, won’t have a starter in the race this time around.

Richard Mandella will send out Kudos as part of what could be a sizable field, a rarity in most stakes races in California these days.

A 6-year-old gelded son of Kris S. owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, Kudos will be making his first start since he finished third behind Medaglia d’Oro and Slider in the Oaklawn Handicap on April 5. Alex Solis will ride Kudos.

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The Californian is one of three graded stakes on Saturday’s card. Storming Home, the winner of last month’s Jim Murray Memorial Handicap, is the 124-pound high weight for the $350,000 Charlie Whittingham at 1 1/4 miles on the turf and Santa Catarina, the beaten favorite in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes over a sloppy surface at Pimlico on May 16, tops the field for the $200,000 Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.

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Candy Ride, an Argentina-bred who remained unbeaten with a decisive win in his U.S. debut Saturday, could be headed to the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 13. Trained by Ron McAnally for owners Sid and Jenny Craig, the 4-year-old won by three lengths while completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.28.