44-1 shot Wilkinson wins American Handicap
May 26, 2012INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Wilkinson beat Mr. Commons by 1 1/4 lengths Saturday to win the $150,000 American Handicap at 44-1 odds at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Wilkinson angled outside approaching the stretch, collared pacesetter Liberian Freighter with less than an eighth of a mile to go and withstood the late surge of 3-5 favorite Mr. Commons.
Wilkinson ran a mile on the turf in 1:33.37 and paid $90.60, $18.20 and $8.20 in his first start for trainer Jeff Mullins, who took over the horse five days ago. The 4-year-old's first graded stakes win of his career ended a six-race losing streak. It was the biggest upset in the 73-year history of the Grade 2 race. The previous highest win price was $64.20 by Takarian in 1999.
Mr. Commons returned $2.40 and $2.10 in losing his second straight. Liberian Freighter was another half-length back in third and paid $5.40 to show.
Wilkinson has five wins in 18 career starts and earnings of $336,994.