Winendynme Delivers KO in Manhattan Beach

(from Hollywood Park report)
Odds-on favorite The Dempsey Look lacked a late punch on Sunday when Winendynme delivered the knock-out blow with a late outside rally to win the $79,950 Manhattan Beach for 3-year-old fillies by two lengths at Hollywood Park.

Winendynme tracked the leaders down the backstretch and through the turn before exploding in the stretch under urging from jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr. The 3-year-old filly set a new stakes record by covering the 5 1/2 furlongs on the Lakeside Turf Course in 1:01.72, and returned $9.80, $4.80 and $4 as the second choice in the wagering.

"I just sat there today, and when I called on her turning for home, she just accelerated and put them all away," Valdivia said.

Winning trainer Jenine Sahadi said it is obvious that Winendynme prefers sprinting after failing to rally in three one-mile races on the grass. She was fourth, beaten by 3 1/4 lengths in her last start, the one-mile Senorita (gr. IIIT) at Hollywood May 15. Winendynme has won three of nine lifetime and the winner's share of $46,350 ran her bankroll to $139,489.

Very Vegas, ridden by Mick Ruis, grabbed second and paid $6.60 and $4.60, and Allswellthatendswell paid $4.60 to show with Patrick Valenzuela aboard.

The Dempsey Look, ridden by Alex Solis, finished fourth as the heavy 4-5 favorite.

"She really wasn't trying at all," Solis said. "She was dull the whole way. She made a little run to pass some tired horses, but that was it. It was just one of those days."

Monday's $1-million guaranteed Pick Six pool got a big boost with a $187,481.78 carryover when no favorites were able to connect.

Also Sunday, a day after My Miss Storm Cat equaled the track record for five furlongs, Diligent Prospect broke it. Ridden by jockey Jon Court, Diligent Prospect covered the distance on the main track in :56 1/5 to shave one-fifth of a second off the mark initially set by Magical Mile in 1989.

The Florida-bred colt was making his second career start for trainer Doug O'Neill, and closed gamely in the stretch to crush the maiden field by three and one-half lengths.

(Chart, Equibase)