In a battle of grade I winning sprinters at Hollywood Park May 6, Cost of Freedom led all the way to upset 7-10 choice M One Rifle in a $61,100 optional claiming allowance event on the main track (VIDEO).
Cost of Freedom's task was made easier due to the slow start of M One Rifle, who broke last in the field of five. Cost Of Freedom, with Tyler Baze aboard, cruised to a 4 1/2-length victory in his 2010 debut.
A 7-year-old Cee's Tizzy gelding out of the Moscow Ballet mare Freedom Dance, Cost Of Freedom clocked the six furlongs in 1:08.36 over the Cushion Track surface to soundly defeat Irish-bred Stoneside. M One Rife, unable to draw closer than three lengths after the first half-mile, settled for third, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner.
Making his first start since he finished third, beaten by a head at 18-1 in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) last Nov. 7 at Santa Anita, Cost Of Freedom sped immediately to the front, relaxed well while carving quarter-mile splits of :22.88 and :45.60, then drew off in the lane while in hand approaching the wire.
Owned by brothers Gary and Cecil Barber and trained by John Sadler, the 2-1 second choice ran his final quarter mile in less than 24 seconds. Bred in California by John Harris, Cost Of Freedom ran the fastest three-quarters of a mile at the 2010 Hollywood spring meet. Street Boss, who ran 1:07.55 on May 10,2008, holds the Cushion Track mark.
Claimed for $50,000 by his current connections on July 28, 2008 at Del Mar, Cost Of Freedom now has seven wins in 14 starts. Since being claimed, he has won three of six, including the Ancient Title Stakes (gr. I) in September 2008. He has earned $606,105. Cost Of Freedom paid $6.60, $4 and $2.10.
M One Rifle lost his best opportunity when he hopped at the break and was away last with Mike Smith aboard.
In his first appearance since leading all the way in the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, the 4-year-old One Man Army gelding could never get on even terms with the first two. Stoneside, ridden by Martin Pedroza, returned $4 and $2.10 while M One Rifle paid $2.10 to show.
Two races later, Day With Desi provided the biggest surprise of the young meet. Winless since defeating maidens in April 2009, the 4-year-old Sunday Break gelding ended his drought with a 71-1 stunner.
Beaten a combined 48 lengths in his four previous starts, Day With Desi led throughout, holding off Romance Is Family to win by a neck. Day With Desi, who is owned by Nick Keshishian and trained by George Papaprodromou, returned $144, $62.80 and $23.80.
Kerwin John, recently returned to the Southern California circuit, rode Day With Desi. It was John’s first victory at Hollywood Park since he won with War Scandal on June 18, 2008.
About an hour later, good fortune continued for WinStar Farms. Less than one week removed from it win with Super Saver in the Kentucky DerbyPresented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Kayce Ace, a 3-year-old full sister to multiple stakes winner Colonel John, earned her maiden victory in her second race for trainer Eoin Harty. Bill Casner, the co-owner of WinStar, was in attendance as Kayce Ace got up in time for the head win in 1:44.67 for the 1 1/16 miles.
