Cyclometer Wins Scratch-Marred Los Angeles

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Cyclometer, owned and bred by trainer Bruce Headley and Irwin and Andrew Molasky, made short work of two other foes in a scratch-marred $92,000 Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III)  at Santa Anita Park May 26.

Only a field of five was drawn for the race. Super Ninety Nine was an early scratch, and Wild Dude was scratched by the track veterinarian during the warm-up. HRTV reported the 4-year-old horse was scratched because he was off in his left front leg.

Wine Police fired away for the lead in the six-furlong Los Angeles under jockey Victor Espinoza to lead through a quick pace as Cyclometer pushed the leader from the outside. Color of Courage trailed in third.

The early fractions for the race, run on a fast track, were :21.47 for the opening quarter-mile and :44.22 for the half-mile.

Cyclometer, the slight favorite at even money, disposed of Wine Police on the far turn and drew clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths under Edwin Maldonado. Wine Police finished second, 10 3/4 lengths in front of Color of Courage. The final time was 1:09.02.

The winner paid $4; there was no place or show wagering. The $1 exacta paid $3.40 and the $1 trifecta paid $2.90.

Cyclometer, a 6-year-old California-bred horse by Cyclotron out of the Eastern Echo mare Moano Loa, won for the sixth time in 21 starts. He finished third in the grade II Portreo Grande Stakes at Santa Anita in his last start.