Souvenir Gift Rallies to Remain Unbeaten

Purchased for $25,000 as a yearling in 2003, Souvenir Gift has proven to be quite a bargain.

A California-bred daughter of Souvenir Copy, she remained unbeaten in three races with a come-from-behind win in the $106,800 Landaluce on Monday at Hollywood Park.

Co-owned by Greg Unruh and trainer Sam Semkin, the 4-1 second choice in the Grade III came through on the inside under jockey Mike Smith to beat 6-1 shot Bella Banissa and 2-5 favorite My Miss Storm Cat, who was victimized by mostly self-caused trouble at the break.

In winning by 1 1/4 lengths, Souvenir Gift ran the six furlongs in 109.75, the fastest clocking in the Landaluce since Hookedonthefeelin won in 1:09 3/5 in 1998.

“It’s funny because I was calm [during the race] because basically my job was done, you just hope for good racing luck,” Semkin said. “But, then as [Souvenir’s Gift] was walking to the winner’s circle, my legs were shaking so bad. This is awesome.”

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Even The Score, who will be favored in Saturday’s $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, had his final work for the Grade I on Monday. The 6-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, who already has wins in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap and Californian at the meet, went five furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Vladimir Cerin.

Owned by Ro Parra, Even The Score is likely to have four to six opponents in the 1 1/4-mile race. Besides the favorite, Olmodavor, Continental Red, Total Impact and Yessirgeneralsir are considered definite. Royal Moro and Gift Of The Eagle are possible participants.

Rock Hard Ten, who was second in the Preakness before finishing fifth in the Belmont Stakes, heads the field for Saturday’s $400,000 Swaps Breeders’ Cup Stakes.

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Wonder Again, the 7-2 third choice, relished a soft turf course at Belmont Park and won the $250,000 New York Handicap by 3 1/4 lengths Monday.

It was the sixth win in 16 starts for the 5-year-old Silver Hawk mare, who is trained by Jim Toner for owners Joan and John Phillips. Ridden by Edgar Prado, she covered the 1 1/4 miles in the Grade II in 2:05.60. Stay Forever, an 8-1 shot, edged favored Spice Island for second.

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Lunarpal, the 11-10 favorite, out finished 15-1 shot Storm Surge and remained unbeaten with a victory in the $150,000 Bashford Manor, the closing day feature at Churchill Downs.

Joining Favorite Trick (1997) as the only horse to sweep Churchill’s spring stakes for 2-year-olds, Lunarpal is four for four for owner Bill Heiligbrodt and trainer Steve Asmussen.