INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 3, 2008) - El Roblar, winner of the Ack Ack Handicap when making his most recent start here last June, remained perfect in three Hollywood Park races with a half-length victory over Heroi Do Bafra under jockey Victor Espinoza in Saturday's $109,500 Inglewood Handicap.
El Roblar, who broke his maiden in his second career start here in 2005, overhauled tiring pacesetter Ghosttrapper at the head of the stretch and held off Heroi Do Bafra in the final furlong to win the 1 1/16-mile turf race in 1:40.35.
The victory was the fourth in the Inglewood for Espinoza, who rode three winners on the program.
"It worked out perfect," he said. "I really wasn't worried about the horse in front because I knew he was going fast. I was just focusing more on my horse. I wanted him to be comfortable. Turning for home, I didn't have to do much . . . just the last sixteenth I had to get into him a little bit to keep going."
Ghosttrapper sped to the early lead and was ten lengths in front down the backstretch, but ran out of steam on the turn for home.
El Roblar, a 6-year-old son of War Chant, won for the sixth time in 14 starts, banking $65,700 to raise his earnings to $389,646.
"It was a tough race, but this horse has a big heart," said Angel Vega, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. "He's doing really well right now and he ran good. He's been training super good in the mornings and I expected him to run a big race."
El Roblar paid $5.20, $3.40 and $2.60. Heroi Do Bafra, ridden by Aaron Gryder, returned $7.80 and $4.40. Uffizi, another three-quarters of a length back under Brice Blanc, paid $3.60.
While the Inglewood played true to form, there were several upsets on the program, leading to a two-day Pick Six carryover of $387,380 on Sunday at Hollywood Park. First post time is at 1:20 p.m.
