ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Irish-bred Willyconker took the lead on the second turn and pulled away to win the $65,000 Wrightwood Purse in Thursday’s feature at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Doug O’Neill, Willyconker sat fourth in the field of seven early in the turf mile for older horses, entering the homestretch with a one-length lead and beating Tigah by 134 lengths in 1:33.44.
Willyconker paid $9.40, $4.60 and $2.40. Tigah paid $5 and $3.60. The favorite, Causeithertz, was a distant third and returned $2.20 to show.
Willyconker, a 6-year-old gelding, won a Grade 1 stakes a year ago, but finished 10th in the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes on Feb. 2. He earned $39,000 for Thursday’s win, his eighth in 26 career starts, for a lifetime bankroll of $423,550.
