INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Acclamation, a 14-1 long shot, opened a huge early lead and was never challenged Saturday in a 712-length victory, the biggest in the history of the $150,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Christian Santiago Reyes, who had never won a graded stakes, Acclamation led by as many as 10 lengths early and yielded little ground as he covered 112 miles on turf in 2:26.59.
The 4-year-old colt also became the first California-bred to win in 20 runnings of the Grade II race, named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times sports columnist.
Acclamation paid $31, $12.40 and $6.80. Falcon Rock paid $5.60 and $3.60, and Rendezvous was a neck back in third and paid $3.60 to show.
