Vacare wins $150,000 feature at Hollywood Park
Favorite Vacare held off Gotta Have Her and In My Glory to score a one-length victory in the $150,000 Dahlia Handicap on the closing day at Hollywood Park on Sunday.
Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Vacare covered 1 1-16 miles on the turf in 1:43.13 and paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40. Gotta Have Her returned $3.60 and $2.80. In My Glory paid $5.40 to show.
With the win, Vacare banked $90,000 to boost her earnings to $1.2 million. Trainer Christophe Clement also got his 1,000th win. Vacares connections said the 5-year-old mare will be retired.
Shes such a pleasure to ride. Im going to miss her a lot, but at least she goes out a winner, Valdivia said.
Rafael Bejarano added another jockeys title by riding 52 winners at Hollywood Parks 40-day meet. He completed a sweep of the five major Southern California meetings this year. Doug ONeill saddled 30 winners to take the training title. Its the seventh time ONeill was the top trainer at Hollywood Park.
Track officials said attendance during the meet fell 12 percent compared to last year.
