ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Two-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder won the $75,000 Santa Lucia Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths Friday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, Beholder ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.54 and paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 at 1-5 odds. The 5-year-old mare had been idle for six months because of a fever.
Uzziel returned $3.20 and $2.60, while 26-1 shot Oscar Party was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $3.80 to show.
Beholder triggered a huge $217,450 negative show pool, but Santa Anita's exposure was limited to $10,000 because $202,000 of it was bet out of state, according to track officials. There was $79,753 bet on her to win.
The victory, worth $48,300, increased Beholder's career earnings to $3,416,600, with 11 wins in 16 starts.
''She's the best filly I've ever sat on, and I'm not sure she's not the best horse I've ever ridden,'' Stevens said. ''She listens to me and she acts like she enjoys me on her back and I'm darn sure I enjoy being there.''
