INGLEWOOD, Calif. (June 14, 2008) - Irish-bred Cedar Mountain rallied from last en route to a 2 3/4-length victory under jockey Alonso Quinonez in course record time of 2:53.65 for a mile and three-quarters in the second running of the $76,750 Round Table Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park.
Cedar Mountain, last most of the way, moved into contention on the outside nearing the quarter pole and easily closed from fifth at the top of the stretch, taking command approaching the sixteenth pole.
"This was a big step forward for this horse," Quinonez said. "I was a little nervous because he was a little excited in the post parade. But when he broke from the gate he was like a new horse, very professional. He made my job easy. Neil (Drysdale) told me to put him behind horses. I said 'behind the leaders?,' and he said 'no, behind horses. I guess he wasn't worried how far back he was."
The 5-year-old won for the second straight time while paying $7, $4.60 and $3.20 as the second choice in the field of eight older horses. Eastern shipper Transduction Gold, ridden by Richard Migliore, returned $7 and $4, while favorite Porfido paid $$2.40 with David Flores up.
Cedar Mountain, trained by Neil Drysdale for Augustin Stable, was starting for the fourth time in North America since arriving with one win in five European starts. The winner's share of $46,050 boosted his earnings to $104,899.
Michael Baze rode three winners on Saturday's program.
