INGLEWOOD – Considering the dollars, the result of yesterday's $104,500 Hollywood Juvenile Championship made sense.
At least to losing trainer Bill Currin, whose Bashert, a $110,000 purchase at the Keeneland, Ky., sale last September finished a neck behind What A Song, a $1.9 million acquisition from the Barretts 2-year-old-in-training sale in March at Pomona by Bob and Beverly Lewis trained by Bob Baffert.
"Goes to show what money does," said Currin, who co-owns Bashert with San Diegan Al Eisman. "A million-nine is supposed to be better than a hundred-ten (thousand), right? You do the math.
"But it was a fair race, over a fair track in a fast time, and I commend the Lewises for being willing to spend that much money."
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, What A Song forced the early pace set by Bashert, then dropped a half-length behind as 43-1 Blaze It came up to assure that Bashert wouldn't get a breather. Swung three paths wide turning for home, What A Song re-engaged Bashert and prevailed in 1:09.55 for six furlongs as the 4-5 favorite.
"There was a horse that didn't belong in the race, and he cost me the race," said Rene Douglas, rider of Bashert. "That's all I can say."
Stevie Wonderboy, Blaze It and Double Parked completed the order of finish in the Grade III race that determines the 2-year-old champion for Hollywood Park. It also identifies juvenile stakes threats for the Del Mar meeting, which opens Wednesday and concludes on Sept. 7 with the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity for 2-year-olds being the traditional closing day feature.
What A Song, a Florida-bred son of Songandaprayer, recouped $62,700 of his purchase price in winning for the second time in as many starts. Bashert has a win, a second and a third in three races.
That What A Song rallied after being passed impressed Baffert.
"(Espinoza) rode him with a lot of confidence, and when you have a good horse you want a rider that's gonna ride him with confidence," Baffert said. "And if he would have gotten beat, it wouldn't have mattered. At this point, they're just learning.
"It's good that Victor took him back, that he (What A Song) let himself be taken back. A lot of colts don't do that, take back and come around. It was exciting to see that. Hopefully, we've got a barnful like that."
Bob Lewis, 81, and his wife have long been among the most prominent owner/breeders in California and count Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Silver Charm and champion filly Serena's Song on a distinguished list of horses they have campaigned. Active in yearling sales for many years, the Lewises have recently revised strategy.
"To have an up-and-coming, challenging 2-year-old is thrilling," Lewis said. "Without specifically making reference, we have a bundle of them. We have 27 2-year-olds; I'm caught up with 2-year-olds at the moment. I think it's a good approach for Beverly and me.
"You know when you buy a yearling you've got a long time before you get to the racetrack. I ain't got that much time."
Elsewhere
Cacht Wells pulled off a $55 upset under Eibar Coa in the $150,000, Grade II Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont Park. Relaxed Gesture was second.
R Lady Joy, ridden by Jose Lezcano, was a 17-1 winner of the $500,000, Grade II Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. Round Pond, Dance Away Capote and 6-5 favorite Sis City followed in order.
Even-money favorite English Channel, ridden by John Velazquez, prevailed over Chattahoochee War and Rebel Rebel in the $750,000, Grade III Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. One race earlier, favored Stupendous Miss, with Gary Stevens up, took the $200,000 All Along Stakes.
Mr. Mabee, a 4-year-old colt bred by John and Betty Mabee and named for the late patriarch of Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona, won the $125,000 Claiming Crown Emerald stakes at Canterbury Downs in Minneapolis. Doug O'Neill-trained Sigreto was second in the penultimate race on the Claiming Crown card. Favored Desert Boom ($4.60) won the $150,000 Crown Jewel.
Hank Wesch: (619) 293-1853; hank.wesch@uniontrib.com
