Ema Bovary Seeks Perfect 10 in Desert Stormer

(from Hollywood Park notes)
With nine consecutive victories, 5-year-old mare Ema Bovary puts the longest winning streak in the nation on the line Saturday in the $100,000-added Desert Stormer Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park.

Chilean-bred Ema Bovary has been on her enviable roll since March of last year. Included are eight stakes victories. One was achieved by disqualification after a bumping incident was deemed responsible for a nose setback.

Strictly a sprinter, Ema Bovary will carry a career-high 123 pounds against just four opponents in the six-furlong Desert Stormer.

"I would have liked to see a bigger field, especially on Belmont Day," trainer Larry Ross said.

Freshened since taking the $175,000 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 7, Ema Bovary won her only previous appearance at Hollywood Park, taking an allowance event by a neck over Bear Fan last Nov. 29.

Larry Ross trains her for Richard Beal and Lana Ramsey. Ema Bovary has career earnings of $406,442 from an overall record of 12-2-0 in 17 starts. Northern California-based Bobby Gonzales has been aboard for each of her ten North American starts, and he travels south for the mount.

"She just jogged a mile to loosen up," said Ross Thursday from Hollywood Park after their arrival Wednesday from Golden Gate Fields. "That was a long trip yesterday, eight and a half hours. It wasn't so much the ride as the heat.

"She doesn't need to do much," said Ross. "She's been here before."

$100,000-added Desert Stormer Handicap (gr. III), fillies & mares 3 & up, 6 furlongs
PP. Horse, Jockey, Wgt.
1. Ema Bovary, Roberto Gonzalez, 123
2. Coconut Girl, Victor Espinoza, 115
3. Jetinto Houston, Tyler Baze, 115
4. Stormica, Mike Smith, 115
5. Hope Rises, David Flores, 116