Ron the Greek wins Santa Anita Handicap
March 3, 2012ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Ron the Greek won the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap by 31/2 lengths on Saturday, sending Setsuko to a runner-up finish for the second consecutive year.
Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Ron the Greek ran 11/4 miles in 2:00.41 and paid $9.20, $4.40 and $3.40 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Setsuko returned $3.60 and $2.80. The 5-year-old gelding was second last year by a nose to Game On Dude, who won in a controversial finish. Game On Dude bypassed the race in favor of running in the $10 million Dubai World Cup later this month.
Uh Oh Bango was another half-length back in third and paid $6.60 to show.
Ultimate Eagle, the 2-1 favorite, was 10th in the 13-horse field.