Comma to the Top wins CashCall Futurity
December 19, 2010INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Comma to the Top raced to his fifth straight victory, beating J P's Gusto by 13/4 lengths in the rain Saturday in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park.
A 2-year-old gelding ridden by Corey Nakatani, Comma to the Top ran 1 1-16 miles on the synthetic Cushion Track in 1:44.18. The start of the race was delayed about 30 minutes after Comma to the Top needed a replacement shoe for his right hind leg.
Comma to the Top paid $7, $4.60 and $3.40 as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade 1 race.
J P's Gusto returned $4.80 and $3.80, while Clubhouse Ride and paid $6.40 to show.
Delta Jackpot winner Gourmet Dinner was fourth, followed by Riveting Reason, Rustler Hustler, Slammer Time, Ronin Dax, Industry Leader and High Level Jeff.
"After all the drama it's just unbelievable," trainer Peter Miller said. "I do want to apologize to all the other owners and trainers. It was out of our control."
Rafael Bejarano rode four winners on the card, and leads the jockey standings going into Sunday's final day of the meet.
Comma to the Top took command around the final turn and wasn't threatened in the final quarter of a mile. He has career earnings of $551,600, with six wins in 10 starts. The gelding had already won two stakes at the autumn meet.
"Wow, that was something," Nakatani said. "To run like that on top of everything that happened, he's just an amazing little horse. All this adversity is a plus because he handled it like it was just another day. Right now, I would say he is one of the best 2-year-olds I've ridden."