Sarafan, who ended a six-race losing streak, increased his lifetime earnings to $2,488,671. Among his stakes successes was the Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) two summers ago at Del Mar. (Chart, Equibase)
Gary A. Tanaka's veteran stakes campaigner Sarafan showed his class Wednesday with a decisive victory in the featured $79,000 Escondido Handicap at the marathon distance of 1 3/8 miles on the grass at Del Mar. Packing highweight of 121 pounds and piloted by Corey Nakatani, Sarafan came on in the stretch to defeat 9-1 shot Gene de Campeao by 1 1/2 lengths. Outta Here, another length back, finished third. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Sarafan, a 7-year-old gelded son of Lear Fan, accomplished the distance in 2:12 4/5. Coupled in the wagering with Pellegrino, also owned by Tanaka, Sarafan returned $3.40 after his tenth victory in 42 career starts.