DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Gotta Have Her swept to the lead in the upper stretch and beat Go Forth North by a neck Monday to win the $150,000 Palomar Handicap on Monday.
Ridden by Mike Smith, the 6-year-old mare ran the 1 1/16-miles on grass in 1:42.39, and paid $4, $3 and $2.10. Go Forth North returned $5.80 and $2.60. Lilly Fa Pootz was another half-length back in third and paid $2.10 to show.
It was Gotta Have Her’s second straight win in the Palomar Handicap.
Also Monday, despite losing his left front shoe Bench Points rallied in the final strides to beat Swiss Tart by a half-length in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the 2-year-old winner covered six furlongs on the main track in 1:10.28, and paid $3.10, $2.80 and $2.20. Swiss Tart paid $13.40 and $7. Lucky Mr. K was a neck back in third and paid $5.60 to show.
