Euroears, Baffert win Palos Verdes at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Euroears won the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita in his first start for Bob Baffert, beating Captain Cherokee by 21/4 lengths.

Ridden by Mike Smith, the 7-year-old Euroears ran 6 furlongs on dirt in 1:07.23 and paid $20, $9.80 and $4.20 for his ninth victory in 17 career starts. He earned $90,000 to push his total to $491,562.

Captain Cherokee returned $16.40 and $6.40, and Smiling Tiger paid $2.10.

Euroears hadn't raced since July and his last three starts had been longer races. He began his career with six straight wins, but had had mixed results since.

"I remember way back when, he was always a really fast horse," said Baffert, who had 19 winners in the 19 days of the current Santa Anita meet.

Also Saturday in a sprint for 3-year-old fillies, Bloemer Girl beat Cloneylass by a half-length in the $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza for trainer Jedd Josephson, the California-bred filly covered 61/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:13.75 and paid $29, $12.40 and $7.40. Cloneylass returned $7.60 and $4.60, and Wallstreeter paid $4.80.