Edited release from Hollywood Park
California-bred Scottsbluff set a world record of 1:00.26 for 5 1/2 furlongs under jockey Victor Espinoza in winning Monday's $70,800 Bullet Stakes on the Lakeside Turf Course at Hollywood Park.
Scottsbluff rallied from fourth at the head of the stretch, catching favorite Taikun in the final strides to win by a half-length while starting for the first time on turf. The 4-year-old carried 120 pounds, the same as Pembroke carried while establishing the former record of 1:00.46 here on July 15, 1995.
Espinoza planned to be a little closer to pacesetter Whata Soldier, but found himself last in the field of six through the first quarter-mile.
"Sometimes it doesn't work out the way you expect, but it ended perfectly for me," he said. "I just went around the field and got the money at the end. I was confident inside the sixteenth pole, but before that I didn't think I would get there."
Scottsbluff, trained by Jeff Mullins for Dennis Weir of Phoenix, Arizona, paid $17.60, $6.40 and $3.20. Taikun returned $3.20 and $2.40, while the show payoff on Golden Arrow was $2.60.
The victory was the fourth for Scottsbluff in 12 career starts, but the gelding's first in Southern California. The previous three victories came at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. The winner's share of $46,800 raised his earnings to $154,026.
California-bred Scottsbluff sets a world record of 1:00.26 for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in winning the Bullet Stakes at Hollywood Park.
