Bolo catches Obviously to win Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Bolo ran down 4-5 favorite Obviously late to win the $200,000 Arcadia Stakes for older horses by a neck Saturday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Bolo covered a mile on turf in 1:33.09 and paid $17.40, $7.20 and $3 at 7-1 odds. The 4-year-old had been idle since July 4. He improved to 3-0 on the track's turf course.
Obviously returned $3 and $2.10, while Om was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show as the 8-5 second choice in the Grade 2 race.
Bolo was two lengths behind Obviously at the half-mile pole and was pressured by Om going to the far turn before shaking him off and going after Obviously.
''The horse had a terrific trip,'' winning trainer Carla Gaines said. ''All I told Flavien was to let him break and find his place in the race. I felt he'd be sitting right behind the leaders and he would still have a kick home. That's exactly what happened. Did I think he was going to get there? I'm not sure. I was screaming very loud.''
Ireland-bred Obviously, one of America's best turf milers dating to 2012, appeared to have things his own way on the lead.
''He settled great and he ran really well,'' said Mike Smith, who was aboard the 8-year-old for the first time. ''They went in (one) thirty three to beat us. That's pretty impressive.''
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Bolo's career earnings to $408,700, with four wins in nine starts.
In the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes for older fillies and mares, 9-5 favorite Tara's Tango won by a half-length under Martin Garcia.
The 4-year-old filly ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.48 and paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.60 in the Grade 2 race, her first victory in a graded stakes race.
Yahilwa returned $3.80 and $2.80, while Living The Life was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $3.20 to show.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Tara's Tango's career earnings to $318,004, with three wins in nine starts for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
