Soul Candy made a successful transition to a new surface, winning the $150,000 Classic by 11/4 lengths Saturday on California Cup day at Hollywood Park.
Rafael Bejarano, Victor Espinoza and Joe Talamo rode two winners each from the seven races for California-bred horses worth $700,000.
Bejarano was aboard Soul Candy, who ran 1 1-8 miles on the synthetic Cushion Track in 1:48.49 and paid $12.40, $5.80 and $3.60. It was Soul Candy's first start on a surface other than grass in his 10-race career.
Unusual Suspect returned $4.80 and $3. Enriched, a half-brother of Lava Man, was another nose back in third and paid $2.40 to show.
The victory, worth $90,000, increased Soul Candy's career earnings to $205,300, with four wins in 10 starts.
One race later, Bejarano rode 19-10 favorite Slammer Time to a head victory in the $75,000 Juvenile. The 2-year-old colt ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:44.63 and paid $5.80, $3.60 and $2.60.
Joy Boy returned $7.40 and $4.60, while Woodmans Luck was another 13/4 lengths back in third and paid $3 to show.
Slammer Time earned $83,152 with his second win in four career starts.
Espinoza won the $100,000 Distaff with La Nez and the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies with Swiss Wild Cat, moving him into a tie with Corey Nakatani for all-time Cal Cup wins. Both have 17.
Talamo rode Cost of Freedom to victory in the $100,000 Sprint and was aboard winner Bruce's Dream in the $100,000 Mile. He also won two early races on the card.
Joel Rosario won the $100,000 Matron aboard Ultra Blend.
