USS Tinosa Sails to Impressive Score in Sham Stakes

Using his vast experience over the field to his advantage, USS Tinosa drew off to a 4 1/2-length victory in Friday's Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, USS Tinosa had already won or placed in six stakes, while most of his opponents were coming out of either maiden or allowance races.

The son of Foxhound tracked the battling leaders, Shah Jehan and Cottonwood Cowboy, then blew by them under left-handed whipping from Kent Desormeaux, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49. The Thoroughbred Corp's Puerto Banus edged out Bob and Beverly Lewis' Hot Contest for second.

"I have a lot of plans for this horse," winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. "I nominated him for everything. I've liked this horse for a long time. I was hoping he'd lay off the pace today, and we got lucky the two speed horses went out, and we were sitting off them. He's had a little trouble changing leads in the past, but Kent got him to change real good today."

USS Tinosa was purchased for $40,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale. He is owned by Peter Abruzzo and Barry Thiriot.