Ema Bovary Gets Help, Extends Streak

Ema Bovary got some help to run her win streak to six in the $84,850 Kalookan Queen Handicap on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

After finishing a nose behind 19-10 second choice Royally Chosen, the 6-5 favorite was awarded the victory after the stewards disqualified the original winner for interference nearing the wire.

Jockey Bobby Gonzalez, who has been aboard the Chilean-bred Ema Bovary in all seven of her starts in this country, claimed foul against Alex Solis, the rider of Royally Chosen. After looking at several replays, the stewards agreed with Gonzalez.

Trained by Larry Ross for owners Rick Beal and Lana Ramsey, Ema Bovary, who won once in six starts in her native land, will probably get her first crack at a graded stakes win in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap on Jan. 25. The seven-furlong affair is a Grade 1.

“I really got about a neck in front of [Royally Chosen] and [Solis] came out hitting left-handed and bumped my filly,” Gonzalez said. “[Royally Chosen] kept coming out and coming out. I kept my filly straight.”

Solis, of course, had a different view.

“I came out next to him, but if you see [Gonzalez’s] body, it’s shifting to the inside so that means he’s going to lean into me,” he said. “I came out next to him, but never fouled him.”

Sparkling Ava, a 70-1 longshot in the field of eight, was third, 5 1/2 lengths back, then came Spring Meadow, Lady George, Just Bill Me, Miss Bridget Jones and Nicole’s Pursuit, who was eased in the stretch.

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A field of seven is expected Saturday for the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap, the first prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 6.

The 118-pound highweight is Olmodavor, who earned the first graded stakes win of his career when he wore down Nose The Trade to take the Native Diver Handicap last month at Hollywood Park.

Others likely to be entered in the 1 1/16-mile race this morning are Nose The Trade, Grey Memo, Hot Market, Star Cross, Total Impact and Truly A Judge.