Chandtrue Lives Up to Big Expectations

Chandtrue, the 2-5 favorite, won as he was supposed to Sunday, easily defeating his seven 2-year-old opponents in the $79,125 Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park.

A son of Yes It’s True owned by Harold Greene and trained by Bob Hess Jr., Chandtrue -- who was wide throughout -- drew away in the stretch to defeat 4-1 second choice and first-time starter Dance Thief by four lengths in 58.24 for the five furlongs. The $130,000 yearling purchase, who had won his first race by 4 1/2 lengths April 29, was ridden by Corey Nakatani.

“I knew the ones inside of me were going to outfoot me early, so I was pretty patient where I was at on the outside,” Nakatani said. “He did bobble a bit at the break, but this is a very talented 2-year-old.

“I think he was much the best and that’s the way I rode him. I think he has a very bright future.”

Dance Thief, a son of Anees, finished two lengths ahead of Gentleman Count, a 15-1 shot who encountered trouble in his debut, then came Cover Now, Rythm River, Black Wagner, Zero Call and Shermanthetank.

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The first two turf Grade I races of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meet will be a week from today -- the $350,000 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile and the $350,000 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

Trainer Julio Canani, who has won the Shoemaker three of the last five years, will send Tsigane against a field that is expected to include Designed For Luck, Just Wonder, King Of Happiness, Leroisdesanimaux, Singletary, Sweet Return and Dell Place.

In the Gamely, which is for fillies and mares and is run at 1 1/8 miles, Dimitrova, who won the 2003 American Oaks at Hollywood Park, is expected to be opposed by Megahertz, Noches De Rosa, Katdogawn and possibly Quero Quero, Fun House and Intercontinental.