Dilemma, Falcon Scott show winning ways

Two young, improving horses with the potential to achieve bigger pay days created excitement Sunday at Santa Anita because of the way they won races.

Dilemma, a 2-year-old son of Grand Slam, rallied from last place along the rail under jockey Alex Solis to win the $69,420 Sunny Slope Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths, covering the six furlongs in 1:09.69 and demonstrating a running style that could be conducive for two turns.

“We’re looking forward to his 3-year-old season,” Solis said. “He has such a long stride and is a good horse.”

One race later, in a 1 1/8 -mile allowance event on the turf, Falcon Scott, a 3-year-old half brother to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, burst between horses in mid-stretch after being blocked and pulled away under jockey Victor Espinoza for a 1 1/4 -length victory.

“I’m very excited,” trainer John Shirreffs said of the son of European champion Swain out of the mare, Set Them Free, that produced Giacomo.

Falcon Scott has made only four career starts after recovering from an injury, and turf racing appears to fit him well. The Nov. 26 Hollywood Derby at 1 1/4 miles on the turf is the race Shirreffs said Falcon Scott will be pointed toward.

As for the Paddy Gallagher-trained Dilemma, it was Solis who liked the horse even before his first start last July at Hollywood Park.

“I’ve always seen a lot of potential,” Solis said. “Everything we’ve asked he’s done.”

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Collier Hill, at 22-1 odds, won the richest race in Canada, the Grade I $1,779,378 Canadian International at 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Sunday.

Ridden by Dean McKeown, Collier Hill, an 8-year-old gelding, prevailed by a nose over Go Deputy and paid $23.50.

Also at Woodbine, Arravale, ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., won the $935,018 E.P. Taylor, a Grade I for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

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Jockey Eibar Coa swept both 2-year-old turf stakes Sunday at Belmont. Coa rode Pickapocket to a 1 1/2 -length win in the $85,925 Pilgrim Stakes and guided Chestoria to a one-length win in the $84,375 Miss Grillo Stakes.

eric.sondheimer@latime.com