Made to Love Her recorded her second win in a row, a decisive four-length victory in the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes at cold and rainy Hollywood Park Nov. 20 (VIDEO).
Track conditions after persistent heavy rain during the afternoon forced Hollywood Park to cancel the final three races of the program when jockeys express safety concerns.
Made to Love Her registered a maiden win in her fifth start by a neck last month at Santa Anita. The Stevie Wonderboy filly left no doubt about her superiority against four opponents in the seven-furlong Moccasin, which she completed in 1:23.88 over Cushion Track.
Reserved off the pace while saving ground early, Made to Love Her, the 5-2 third choice, angled outside for a clear path into the stretch. She collared pacesetter Woebegon approaching mid-stretch and cleared off in the final furlong.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Made to Love Her is out of the Storm Boot mare Love Boot. Owned by Copper Penny Stables and trained by Jim Kasparoff, the chestnut filly was bred in Florida by Sienna Farms.
The $60,000 winner’s share increased Made to Love Her earnings to $113,960. She has started six times, finishing worse than third only once. Made to Love Her paid $7.80, $3.40 and $2.40.
Evelyn's Dancer, the longest shot in the field at 16-1, rallied for second, a head in front of 8-5 favorite Eva's Joy. Woebegon and Lady Hokulea completed the order of finish. Evelyn’s Dancer returned $10.40 and $3 while Eva’s Joy paid $2.20 to show.
Kasparoff, who was winning his first stakes at Hollywood Park, said Made to Love Her could return in the $250,000 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) Dec. 10. She would have to be supplemented to the race, which is run at 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track, for $10,000, plus an additional $10,000 to start.
“There really weren’t any (allowance races), so you either have to run in a stakes or ship somewhere else,’’ said Kasparoff. “This seemed like an ideal spot. She really likes Hollywood Park quite a bit; she trains very, very well here.
“I wanted to run her seven furlongs. I thought it would be an excellent distance for her and the timing was perfect. She got an excellent trip and ran fantastic. We’ll see how she comes out of the race and we’ll look at the Hollywood Starlet.’’
Bejarano followed his Moccasin success with two more wins , taking the fourth with Dr. Smarty Jack and the sixth with Brown Is Beige.
Made To Love Her wins the Moccasin.
Benoit Photography