Roo's Valentine wins Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (AP) Roo's Valentine led all the way to win the $100,500 Soviet Problem Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by a half-length Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Roo's Valentine ran a mile in 1:37.75 and paid $7, $3 and $3.20 as the 5-2 second choice.

Just Google Me returned $2.60 and $2.60 as the 6-5 favorite who lost for the first time in three races at the Orange County track. Run for Retts was another 9 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $5.20 to show.

Patriotic Diamond, the 9-5 morning-line favorite, was scratched to run in a stakes next weekend.

The victory increased Roo's Valentine's career earnings to $116,240, with two wins in five starts for trainer Kristin Mulhall.

''She's more game when she's able to make the lead,'' Mulhall said. ''When she gets dirt in her face, she throws her ears up. She's still green and doesn't really know what she is doing yet.''

Pedroza rode his 83rd career winner at Los Alamitos, tying him with Corey Black for second on the career list and leaving the 50-year-old jockey three behind leader Frank Olivares.