BEJARANO GUIDES HOG’S HOLLOW TO UPSET IN $60,000 HIGHWAY 61 PURSE

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2012) – Under a clever ride by Rafael Bejarano, 6-1 shot Hog’s Hollow ran off with Friday’s $60,000 Highway 61 Purse at the infrequently run distance of 1 ¼ miles over Santa Anita’s Camino Real Turf Course.

Bejarano, who seems to have developed a special rapport with the 6-year-old gelding, unexpectedly sent Hog’s Hollow to the lead, nursed him through six furlongs in a modest 1:14.53 and kicked home in 2:01.27 to defeat runner-up Highway Bandit by 3 ¾ lengths.

It was the fourth time that Bejarano had ridden Derrick Fisher’s homebred son of Perfect Soul for trainer Paddy Gallagher and his third victory aboard the bay gelding to accompany one second. Otherwise, Hog’s Hollow is winless in 18 career starts.

Highway Bandit, an 11-1 shot ridden by Joe Talamo, edged Dynamic Host and jockey Joel Rosario by three-quarters of a length for the place. Falcon Rock, the even-money favorite who had finished second to Eclipse Award winner Acclamation in last May’s Grade II Jim Murray Handicap, finished a well-beaten fifth while returning from a two-month freshening.

The winner paid $14.60, $5.80 and $2.80. The prices on Highway Bandit were $11.40 and $4.60. Dynamic Host, the 9-5 second choice, paid $2.20 to show.

Hog Hollow’s victory was worth $36,000 and elevated his career earnings to $166,050 from an overall record of 3-4-3 in 21 starts.

On Saturday, Santa Anita presents five stakes races headed by the Grade I, $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes as part of Sunshine Millions Day. The 10-race program will have a special early first post at 12 noon.

-30-