Inglewood Belongs to Gondolieri

In what essentially became a match race after it was taken off the turf because of rain, Gondolieri, the 7-10 favorite, got the best of 2-1 second choice Truly A Judge to win the $103,782 Inglewood Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

A winner of six of seven in his native Chile, Gondolieri, a 4-year-old gelded son of Gold Tribute, tracked the pace set by Truly A Judge, then took over early in the stretch and went on to win by three lengths in 1:40.32 for the 1 1/16 miles over a lightning fast surface.

Owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt and trained by Ron McAnally, Gondolieri was ridden by Frank Alvarado as he won for the first time in three starts in this country.

Truly A Judge had finished a neck in front of the winner when they last met in the Tokyo City Handicap on March 8 at Santa Anita when they were both beaten by Kela.

Freefourinternet, the 7-2 third choice, was third, two lengths behind Truly A Judge, then it was 12 lengths to the outclassed Leprechaun Kid. Blue Steller and Touch Of The Blues were scratched because of the surface switch.

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Jockey Michael Baze, 16, earned his first victory when he directed 7-1 Outonthesly to victory in the ninth race at Hollywood Park. Baze is the nephew of Russell Baze.

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There were upsets in Aqueduct’s graded stakes.

In the $112,400 Beaugay Handicap, 7-1 Delta Princess skimmed the rail and outdistanced 5-2 second choice Wonder Again to win by half a length in 1:42.36 for the 1 1/16 miles on turf. Mike Luzzi was aboard the A.P. Indy filly for owner Saud bin Khaled and trainer Bill Mott. Voodoo Dancer, the 4-5 favorite, was third.

A race later, Spite The Devil, a 16-1 outsider, edged 9-2 fourth choice Alysweep to win the $150,000 Withers.