INGLEWOOD, Calif. (June 15, 2008) - Two Step Salsa controlled the tempo from the start while coasting to a commanding 3 ¾-length victory under jockey Martin Pedroza in Sunday's $107,100 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Two Step Salsa, who had not run around two turns prior to Sunday, easily turned back bids by Dixie Chatter and Tres Borrachos at the top of the stretch en route to his fourth win in five starts in the 1 1/16-mile race.
Two Step Salsa, trained by Julio Canani for Everest Stables, paid $4, $2.80 and $2.20 as the even-money choice in the field of six 3-year-olds. Tres Barrachos, ridden by Tyler Baze, returned $3.60 and $2.40, while the show payoff on Dixie Chatter with Richard Migliore up was $2.60.
"This horse is just a freak, that's all I can say," Pedroza said. "Julio didn't tell me too much. I work for him every day and he has a lot of confidence in me. He was going so easy. He just does everything so easy. They came up to him on the turn and I just let him out a notch and whoosh! He's one of those that when you ask him, it's like a push button. He could be any kind."
While Two Step Salsa was a heavy favorite, upsets ruled Sunday, resulting in a Pick Six carryover of $158,089 when racing resumes Wednesday at Hollywood Park.
Two Step Salsa, a homebred son of Petionville, banked $64,260 to boost his earnings to $203,990. His lone setback came on turf in the Harry Henson Stakes.
Baze had no complaints aboard the runner-up.
"He ran great," he said. "I made Martin commit to go for the lead and I had the perfect trip behind him. The seven-horse (Dixie Chatter) made a little bit of an early move, so I ducked him inside and saved about three lengths. The leader was going fast enough where I thought I had him all the way, but he was just too much the best."
Trainer Jeff Mullins had to settle for fourth money with Bingham in the Affirmed, but he saddled three winners on the program. Two were ridden by Martin Garcia.
