ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Kobe's Back rallied from far back to catch Salutos Amigos in the final 50 yards and win the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes for older horses by a half-length Sunday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Gary Stevens, Kobe's Back ran six furlongs in 1:08.70 and paid $7, $3.40 and $2.40 as the 5-2 second choice.
Salutos Amigos returned $2.80 and $2.20, while Cautious Giant was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $3 to show.
Kobe's Back, named for Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, has been idle since finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Oct. 31. Trainer Peter Eurton put blinkers on the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred to restrict his vision.
''Gary said the blinkers did make a difference,'' said Eurton, who has trained the horse in his last eight starts.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Kobe's Back's career earnings to $772,250, with four wins in 17 starts.
