INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Esentepe won for the first time in the U.S., taking the $57,000 feature at Betfair Hollywood Park by 314 lengths on Thursday.
Ridden for the first time by Rafael Bejarano, Esentepe ran 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track in 1:43.74 and paid $2.80, $2.60 and $2.10 as the 2-5 favorite. It was the Ireland-bred mare’s fourth start in this country.
Plaza de Indias returned $6.20 and $3.40, while Miss Radiance was another 3 34 lengths back in third and paid $3.60 to show.
Bejarano also won the fifth race, leaving him two wins shy of 3,000 in his career.
