San Onofre Gives Jock Fourth Los Angeles Win

Matson Racing's San Onofre held off  Wild Dude through the stretch and won the $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes (gr. III) April 16 at Los Alamitos Race Course, giving jockey Edwin Maldonado a fourth successive win in the race. 

A 6-year-old Surf Cat gelding, who broke from the outside post 7, San Onofre finished 5 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:02.04, adding a second grade III win to his record. He was second by a neck to Distinctiv Passion, guided by Maldonado, in last year's Los Angeles run at Santa Anita Park.

Maldonado also won the Los Angeles aboard Comma to the Top in 2013 at Hollywood Park, and on Cyclometer in 2014 at Santa Anita. Jockey Don Pierce won the race five times in a row (1969-1973) at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Karen Headley, San Onofre wore blinkers in the Los Angeles after finishing last of eight in the San Carlos (gr. II) last time out. Third early, two lengths behind pacesetter Sir Kip, San Onofre came five-wide into the lane to lead. Wild Dude, bidding from fourth, made a race of it through the final furlong, but San Onofre edged away late to get the win by one length.

"He was aggressive this time with the blinkers and perfectly drawn on the outside. He came running in the stretch. It's crazy (in regards to winning the Los Angeles four times in a row)," Maldonado said. "I didn't even know it going in. I just hope we can keep it going.''

San Onofre paid $7.40, $3, and $2.40, Wild Dude returned $2.40 and $2.10, and Raised a Secret paid $2.80 to show.

Bred in California by Headley's father, trainer Bruce Headley, San Onofre is out the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold. His record improves to 6-4-0 from 13 career starts, including his first graded score in the Midnight Lute Stake (gr. III) in January at Santa Anita.