Chandtrue Prevails in Proctor Memorial

Chandtrue beat Dance Thief by four lengths Sunday in the $79,125 Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes for 2-year-olds at Hollywood Park.

Chandtrue, a Florida-bred bay colt by Yes It's True ridden by Corey Nakatani, ran the five furlongs in :58.24 and paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Robert Hess Jr. trains the winner for owner Harold F. Greene.

Dance Thief, ridden by Victor Espinoza, returned $3.40 and $2.40, and Gentleman Count, with Patrick Valenzuela aboard, paid $2.60 to show. Both colts were first-time starters.

Chandtrue, purchased for $130,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September sale, won for the second time in as many starts. He broke his maiden with a 4 1/2-length score in his debut at Hollywood Park April 29.

Chandtrue settled on the outside of the pacesetters, moving up easily to take the lead on the turn for home. Dance Thief applied pressure on the extreme outside in upper stretch, but Chandtrue pulled away. Gentleman Count was blocked behind horses while trying to find a way through on the inside and was unable to challenge the easy winner.

"I knew the ones inside of me were going to outfoot me early, so I was pretty patient where I was at on the outside there," Nakatani said. "He did bobble a bit at the break because the track is a little loose. But this is a very talented 2-year-old. I think he was much the best, and that's the way I rode him. I think he has a very bright future."

(Chart, Equibase)