Bettys Bambino wins Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Bettys Bambino won the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for older horses bred or sired in California by a length Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, Bettys Bambino ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:12.65 and paid $7.80, $4 and $2.60.

Defending champion Ambitious Brew returned $3.80 and $2.40 as the 5-2 favorite, while Boozer was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $3.20 to show. Boozer finished in a dead-heat for third with Spirit Rules, who paid $3.80 to show.

The victory, worth $60,000, increased Bettys Bambino's career earnings to $318,036, with six wins in 10 career starts. Bettys Bambino is 5 of 6 on Santa Anita's turf course, including four straight wins.

''The neatest thing about him is he puts himself in a good spot,'' trainer Peter Eurton said. ''He could go to the lead any time he wants to, but he saves himself by pacing himself. If the pace is slow, he'll be on the lead. If it's fast, he's able to rate himself without being very far off the lead.''