Spirit Seeker wins feature at Santa Anita
October 27, 2011ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Spirit Seeker defeated Ambitioness by 2 1/4 lengths to win the $51,416 Lake Tahoe Purse for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Thursday.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Spirit Seeker ran one mile in 1:36.50 and paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.40 as the 6-5 favorite.
Ambitioness returned $4.20 and $2.40, while Chokecherymary was another head back in third and paid $3.40 to show.
Garrett Gomez, aboard Chokecherymary, claimed foul against the winner for interference shortly after the start, but the claim was disallowed by the stewards.
Bejarano said Spirit Seeker was ``going in a little bit'' after the start, but he says he tried to grab her and she straightened out.
The victory, worth $28,800, increased Spirit Seeker's career earnings to $163,469, with nine wins in 27 starts for trainer and co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer.