Citronnade works in an easy win

The ease of Citronnade’s win in the $150,000 Beverly Hills Handicap on Sunday at Hollywood Park was far greater than the 2 1/2 -length margin of victory.

In what was basically a paid workout masquerading as a Grade II, the 4-year-old Lemon Drop Kid filly coasted on extremely slow fractions throughout en route to her fifth win in a row and eighth in 11 starts.

Owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Bobby Frankel, the 1-5 favorite finished the 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:01.47 under David Flores. She has won six of seven on grass and hasn’t lost since finishing ninth of 11 in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Oct. 14 at Keeneland.

All four of her wins in 2007 have come when she has had uncontested leads, but all those who think she needs to be in front to run well would be mistaken. In her local debut in the Audrey Skirball Kenis on Nov. 12, she rallied from off the pace to win by three-quarters of a length.

The win was the third in the last four years in the Beverly Hills for Frankel, but things will get tougher for Citronnade in her next start. According to Humberto Ascanio, she will be pointed for the $750,000 Beverly D., a Grade I at 1 3/16 miles on turf Aug. 11 at Arlington Park.

“It looked like a workout, didn’t it?” Ascanio said. “I was actually nervous saddling this filly today, but I knew she was confident. I had no doubts she would handle the distance. She’s just a really nice filly.”

Wherever she surfaces next, Flores is sure to follow. He has been aboard for all five of her wins in California.

“Sitting on a horse like this is a privilege,” he said after his first win in the Beverly Hills. “She enjoys running. It’s been awhile since I rode a horse like this one.”

Andrea, the second-longest shot in the field at 18-1, finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of Naughty Rafaela, the 9-2 second choice who is also trained by Frankel, then came Mabadi and Nakaba.

*

Lava Man exited his third win in a row in the Hollywood Gold Cup better than did his rider.

Corey Nakatani, who has been aboard the 6-year-old gelding for his last two victories in the Gold Cup, was off his mounts Sunday because of back spasms.

“His doctor recommended that he not ride,” said Tom Ward, Hollywood Park steward.

Dennis O’Neill, an assistant to his brother (trainer Doug O’Neill), said Lava Man, who defeated A.P. Xcellent by a nose, came out of his 17th lifetime victory in top shape and will be pointed to a defense of his title in the $1-million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19 at Del Mar.

*

Trainer Todd Pletcher won both of the 2-year-olds stakes at Belmont Park, taking the $100,000 Astoria with Glacken’s Gal and the $100,000 Tremont with Ready’s Image. Both horses were ridden by John Velazquez.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com