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Pomona, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2008) -- Veteran trainer Jerry Fanning teamed up with young jockey Joe Talamo to win Sunday's $125,000 Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap with 18-1 longshot Booyah.
Scraping the paint throughout the 1 1/8 mile race, the marquee event of the season, Booyah went head-and head with Phil D. Shepherd Stakes winner Freesgood for the entire nine furlong to win by a head in 1:51.94.
It was a length back to Sensational Score who finished third with Hurry Up Austin fourth
For Fanning, 75, it was the seventh time he has won the race, but the first time since 1985. It was also his first victory of the season and 144th lifetime in Pomona, second only to Mel Stute, the all-time leader with 187 winners
"The race wasn't run like I thought it would be," said Fanning after the winner's circle pictures were taken. "I thought there would be more speed. But Joe saved all the ground and it worked out.
"I only ran him once at Del Mar because I couldn' t get him into a race, but I knew he liked the track because he won here last year."
As the longest shot in the field of seven Booyah paid $39.60 and earned $68,750.
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After finishing fourth in three consecutive stakes races, Lemon Chiffon found her amigas at Fairplex, winning the $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap easily by 5 lengths in 1:45.51 for the 1 1/16 miles as the 6-5 favorite.
Lemon Chiffon launched a serious three-wide bid down the backstretch for jockey David Flores the second time around the five-eighths mile oval, opened up a commanding five length advantage on her seven rivals entering the stretch and was on cruised control late.
Swiss Current was second by head over Don Amelia.
"Sean (trainer Sean McCarthy) gave me a lot of confidence," said Flores. "He said she was a push-button horse and let her do her thing and I did."
For McCarthy Lemon Chiffon not only was his first starter of the Pomona meet, but also his first stakes winner.
"David rode her great," said McCarthy. "Remember, before Martin Pedroza (the leading jockey at Fairplex for 10 consecutive seasons), there was David Flores (who own s six riding titles in Pomona).
"We may look at the Las Palmas (Handicap on Oct. 24 at Oak Tree) for her next race.
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Given a picture perfect ride by veteran jockey Aaron Gryder, Northern Soldier won the $65,000 Governor's Handicap by 1 lengths, his first victory since winning an allowance race at Hollywood Park in 2006.
My City By The Bay, who set all the early pace from along the rail, held second in a four-horse blanket photo finish for the place spot with Majestic Storm third as the timer blinked 1:17.42 for the 6 f
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