Improving Awesome Return took control in the stretch and held sway in the final furlong to earn his first stakes win in the $250,000 Snow Chief, the featured event on the California Gold Rush day card at Santa Anita April 26.
Although his Derby Trail run ended with disappointment, grade I winner Tamarando has a chance to claim a lucrative consolation prize as the likely favorite in the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes April 26 at Santa Anita Park.
The winner is a homebred for Don Dizney, who also bred and raced the winner's dam and granddam.
On the bubble for a possible start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Tiz a Minister has been entered in the $300,000 Snow Chief Stakes, the featured event for California-breds April 27 at Hollywood Park.
Grade I winner Willa B Awesome, sent off as a heavy favorite in the $288,000 Melair Stakes, was all out to win by a nose over a determined Starry Skies at Befair Hollywood Park April 28.
Willa B Awesome, upset winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) last month, headlines the 2012 California Gold Rush at Betfair Hollywood Park April 28.
Nahem, under strong handling from Victor Espinoza struck, the lead in deep stretch and held off Woodmans Luck for a head victory in the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes on the California Gold Rush card at Hollywood Park April 23.
Trainer Doug O'Neill is anxious to see a return to form from Thirtyfirststreet, who heads a field of seven 3-year-olds entered for the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park April 23.
Odds-on Alphie's Bet, who missed a chance to run for the roses when he finished sixth in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) three weeks ago, made handy work of his rivals in the $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park.
Compari posted a mild upset under Garrett Gomez in the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes, but Rafael Bejarano stole the spotlight with a five-win afternoon on the 10th annual California Gold Rush program April 25 at Hollywood Park.
Jockey Alex Solis, perhaps inspired by a visit from an old friend, rode Leesider to a thrilling win over gritty pacesetter C.T. Zee in Sunday's $250,000 Cal National Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park.
Grade I winners Romance is Diane, Greg's Gold and Debonair Joe are among the entries in Sunday's $1.3 million Gold Rush VIII program at Hollywood Park, a 10-race card for California-breds.
Thor's Echo and Texcess, 3-year-olds distinguished by lucrative victories, head 12 entrants in Sunday's $250,000 Cal National Snow Chief Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, the highlight of Hollywood Park's $1.3 million Gold Rush for California breds.
Alex Solis guided favored Cheiron through a slight opening between horses in mid-stretch to win the $250,000 Snow Chief for 3-year-old California breds, the featured event in Saturday's 10-race, $1.3 million California Gold Rush at Hollywood Park.
The Bob Baffert-trained Apalachian Thunder, who finished third in the $500,000 WinStar Derby on March 30, will run in the $100,000 California Derby at Bay Meadows Saturday.
