Tiz Flirtatious wins Cat's Cradle
December 11, 2011INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Joel Rosario made it three consecutive victories in the $85,800 Cat's Cradle Handicap for California-bred fillies and mares when he rode Tiz Flirtatious to victory Sunday at Hollywood Park.
Tiz Flirtatious caught pacesetter California Nectar inside the final eighth of a mile, then held off the surge of 11-1 shot Chokecherymary to win by 1 1-2 lengths. Tiz Flirtatious ran 7 1-2 lengths on the synthetic Cushion Track in 1:29.33.
Tiz Flirtatious paid $5.60, $3.80 and $3 as the 9-5 favorite. Chokecherymary returned $8.80 and $5, while California Nectar was another length back in third and paid $5.80 to show.
Rosario, who won the Cat's Crade with U R All That I Am in 2009 and Ultra Blend last year, joined Victor Espinoza as the only riders to win the race three years in a row. Espinoza did it with Favorite Funtime in 2001, Cee's Elegance in 2002 and Valentine Dancer 2003.
Tiz Flirtatious earned $53,800 to increase her career winnings to $116,800.