Inglewood, CA (November 14, 2008)--Following a lengthy stewards' inquiry, Caper or Ellis or Noone's Heathersdaddysbaby was moved up from second to first in Friday night's Hollywood Park turf feature.
Tough Apples, who was seeking her first California victory, finished a half-length in front, but the stewards ruled that she drifted in and took the path of Song and a Wager, thus costing that rival an opportunity for a better placing. Tough Apples was demoted to fourth place while Aunt Pink was put second and Song and a Wager moved up to third.
Despite the best efforts of Chantal Sutherland to restrain Heathersdaddysbaby, the 5-year-old mare was a handful down the backstretch, opening up an early five-length lead. The field started closing in on the far turn and by the head of the stretch Tough Apples had dead aim. Midstretch, Tough Apples had opened up a length and one-half lead but Heathersdaddysbaby responded and was actually coming on again at the wire.
The victory was the 10th of Heathersdaddysbaby's career and the first since joining the Mike Mitchell barn via the claim box March 28. As the favorite,
Heathersdaddysbaby returned $4.60 to win and banked $18,600 of the $31,400 total purse.
There was a pick six carryover going into Friday's card. Despite fairly formful results, six of six returned $25,806.20 while five of six paid $240.80
