INGLEWOOD, CA (May 30, 2008)--The aptly named Valiant Effort took the lead at the outset then held off fast finishing Cherokee Tear to capture Friday night's $67,100 sprint feature at Hollywood Park.
Owned by Finder or Schneider or Vajda, et al, Valiant Effort cut out interior fractions of :22 4/5, :44 4/5, 1:08 4/5 en route to a final time of 1:20 4/5 for the seven furlongs.
The 5-year-old son of Bertrando was challenged entering the stretch by 7-5 favorite Cost of Freedom but shook that one off with an eighth to go. Valiant Effort then had enough left to withstand the final burst of Cherokee Tear, who rallied from next to last to lose by a head. Cost of Freedom was another half-length back in third.
Co-third choice in the wagering, Valiant Effort paid $9, $4.60 and $2.40 while winning for the fourth time in 14 starts. The victory gave trainer Ron Ellis his second of the evening, having scored with Squeeze Me Tight earlier on the card. For second, Cherokee Tear returned $4.20 and $2.40 and Cost of Freedom paid $2.20 to show.
The $39.780 winner's prize brought Valiant Effort's career earnings to $182.834.
For the second straight day, no one was able to select all six winners in the Pick Six, resulting in a carryover for Saturday of $356,430.
