Thorn Song takes first by a head

Two days after cruising to victory aboard unbeaten Zenyatta in the Milady Handicap, jockey Mike Smith had to work a little harder, but he was able to coax pacesetter Thorn Song to victory by a head in a furious three-horse stretch duel in the $314,500 Grade I Shoemaker Mile on the turf Monday at Hollywood Park.

Thorn Song, a 9-1 longshot, held on gamely to edge Hyperbaric, who was a neck ahead of Storm Military, who took third by a neck over the 6-5 favorite Whatsthescript.

Thorn Song, who was shipped in from Kentucky by trainer Dale Romans, had lost four consecutive races since winning the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in October.

Smith sent the 6-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song to a comfortable early lead and then had enough left to come away victorious for Zayat Stables in a time of 1:33.33.

“He just ran dynamite,” Smith said. “I was so proud of him. There were some really good horses in there.

“Dale called me and said, ‘Mike, I really want him on the lead. Even if you have to go a little faster than you like, that’s where I’d like him,’ ” Smith said. “He broke sharp and I was able to get the easy lead, and he never stopped trying. I’ll tell you, he’s a fighting little dude.”

Earlier in the day, Ventura, a 5-year-old mare who was the morning-line favorite, was scratched because of a foot problem.

As for the performance of favorite Whatsthescript, jockey Joel Rosario said: “The turf is really playing for speed right now. He ran a good race, but the horses in front just kept going.”

There were two winning tickets for the pick six that returned $294,018.40.

In the $600,000 Grade I Metropolitan Mile at Belmont Park, Bribon, under jockey Alan Garcia, rallied to defeat Smooth Air by half a length in 1:34.15.

--

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com