Two Step Salsa has some kick

Two Step Salsa was the hot horse Sunday at Hollywood Park, taking control early and dancing his way to a 3 3/4 -length victory in the Grade III $107,100 Affirmed Handicap, a 1 1/16 -mile jaunt.

Two Step Salsa, ridden by Martin Pedroza, had not run around two turns in his previous four starts but easily turned back bids by Dixie Chatter and Tres Borrachos at the top of the stretch.

Two Step Salsa, trained by Julio Canani for Everest Stables, has won four times in five starts. He paid $4, $2.80 and $2.20 as the even-money choice in a field of six 3-year-olds in the Affirmed.

“This horse is just a freak, that’s all I can say,” Pedroza said. “He was going so easy. He just does everything so easy.

“They came up to him on the turn and I just let him out a notch and whoosh! He’s one of those that when you ask him, it’s like a push button.”

Although Two Step Salsa was a heavy favorite, upsets ruled before a Father’s Day crowd of 7,522, resulting in a pick-six carryover of $158,089 when racing resumes Wednesday.

Two Step Salsa banked $64,260 to boost his earnings to $203,990. His lone setback came on turf in the Harry Henson Stakes.

Trainer Jeff Mullins had to settle for fourth-place money with Bingham in the Affirmed, but he saddled three winners on the program. Two were ridden by Martin Garcia.

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larry.stewart@latimes.com