David Copperfield returned $8.80, $3.80 and $3.00 for the win. The $1 exacta paid $9.90."John (Shirreffs, trainer of David Copperfield) told me he wanted me to put him in behind a horse, that the horse fights better when he's right off of another horse. But you never know how a race is going to go," said Espinoza of his wire-to-wire winner. "So that's what I planned to do, but he broke from the gate so easy, and I said to myself, 'I can't hold him back.' He was just nice and relaxed," he continued.David Copperfield (Halo--Bannockburn, by Count Brook) earned $64,560 for 505 Farms. The 3-year-old was bred in Kentucky by Jack Mandato and bought by 505 Farms for $325,000 at last year's Barretts Equine Ltd.'s March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training. The Cinema winner is scheduled to be sold by Barretts on July 22 as part of the 505 Farms dispersal. (Chart, Equibase)
David Copperfield won his turf debut in stellar fashion Saturday at Hollywood Park, setting all the pace before drawing off to a four-length victory in the $107,600 Cinema Handicap (gr. IIIT). Over a firm turf course, David Copperfield completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.73 under Victor Espinoza.Until the Preakness (gr. I), David Copperfield had been the only horse to defeat Fusaichi Pegasus. In their career debuts in December, David Copperfield finished a 6 1/2 furlong maiden race a neck in front of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner at Hollywood Park. Since then David Copperfield finished off the board in an allowance sprint, won a one-mile Santa Anita allowance race, and finished third in the $250,000 California Derby. Saturday's win brings his career mark to three win from five starts.11-10 favorite Duke of Green finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Silver Axe. Heritage Hall was fourth, followed by Grey Memo and Sign of Fire.
