In Summation a winner
In Summation, a very consistent 4-year-old, picked up where he left off on the first day of 2008 Tuesday at Santa Anita.
An unlucky loser when second to Bushwacker, who some argue should have been disqualified for drifting out in the stretch in the Vernon O. Underwood on Dec. 2 at Hollywood Park, In Summation had a dream journey in winning the $108,900 El Conejo Handicap.
Taking full advantage of a three-horse speed duel in front of him, In Summation swept to the lead in the final eighth of a mile and went on to win the Grade III in record time. Under jockey Corey Nakatani, In Summation, the son of Put It Back, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.27, eclipsing the Cushion track record of 1:02.31 set by Smokin Forest on Oct. 25.
“The race set up the way I thought it would,” Nakatani said. “I thought he should have won last time.”
In Summation, the 3-1 second choice for trainer Christophe Clement, won for the ninth time in 20 starts, defeating Barbecue Eddie by one length. Idiot Proof, the 3-5 favorite who figured to have the early lead, was outrun by Barber in the opening quarter mile, got in front briefly in the stretch, but was no match late.
Later in the afternoon, a shorter trip turned out to be the key for Alexandra Rose, who rallied to win the $110,400 Monrovia Handicap.
Making her first start since Aug. 17 at Del Mar, the 6-year-old South African-bred mare ended a five-race losing streak with a three-quarters of a length win in the Grade III.
Trained by Neil Drysdale, Alexandra Rose won for the fifth time in 13 starts. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, she completed the about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:12.86 in her first outing at less than one mile in some 19 months.
Society Hostess, the defending champion in the Monrovia, finished second but was disqualified and placed fifth for alleged interference with Strong Faith near the wire.
Cowboy Cal, the 7-10 favorite, remained unbeaten in three starts on turf with a win in the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby at Calder.
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