INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Majestic Stride won the $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes by 2 12 lengths on Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park, giving trainer Jeff Bonde his second straight victory in the race.
Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Majestic Stride ran six furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:08.87 and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 7-10 favorite. The win price equaled the shortest in the Grade 3 race’s history, matching what Paying Dues returned in 1996.
Color of Courage returned $4.60 and $3.20, while Handsome Mike was another 1 14 lengths back in third and paid $2.60 to show.
Bonde, who won the Underwood last year with Smiling Tiger, became the third trainer to win the race in consecutive years. Wesley Ward and John Sadler were the others.
