INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Acclamation beat Slim Shadey by a length Saturday in the $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Acclamation ran 1 1/4 miles on the turf in 2:01.50 and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.20 as the even-money favorite in the field of five. It was Valenzuela’s first mount since May 19 and his second win since the 49-year-old rider ended his four-month retirement in April. He has been battling weight issues.
Acclamation, last year’s champion older male, equaled John Henry as a three-time winner of the race named for the late Hall of Fame trainer.
Slim Shadey returned $2.60 and $2.10 as the 13-10 second choice. Utopian was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.40 to show.
