For Immediate Release

POMONA, Calif., Sept. 25--Curt and Lila Lanning's even-money choice Amber

Hills rewarded favorite players with an authoritative 6 3/4-length victory in

the 23rd running of the $50,000 Black Swan Stakes at Fairplex Park on

Wednesday.

Ridden by Martin Pedroza, who was winning his third stakes race of the meet,

Amber Hills raced comfortably in second place until the field of nine

2-year-old fillies neared the five-sixteenths mark in the 1 1/16-mile race,

drew clear quickly into the stretch and won with authority. The

California-bred chestnut daughter of Bold Badgett covered the distance in

1:45.65 under 114 pounds and paid $4 to win.

"She kind of broke a bit slow and I had to rush her to maintain my position,"

Pedroza said. "After that she was pulling me every step of the way."

It was the second victory from five starts for Amber Hills, who is trained by

Ed Moger Jr. She earned $27,500.

"I expected her to run really well but you never know until you run them,"

Moger said. "We'll look to run her long on Cal Cup day (Nov. 2 at Santa

Anita)."

Iza Beauty, a 22-1 shot ridden by Luis Jauregui, was second, two lengths in

front of late-closing 35-1 shot Skippingtomontana. Market Garden, My Honey

Bunny, Alpine Singer, Amanda Louise, Foggerinthevalley and Passionforanna

completed the order of finish. Segovia was scratched.

Pine for Java, who experienced an inside trip while finishing fifth in the 6

1/2-furlong Beau Brummel Stakes at Fairplex on Sept. 17, is the 5-2 morning

line favorite for Thursday's $50,000-guaranteed Gateway to Glory Stakes for

2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The field in post position order for the 33rd

running of the Gateway to Glory: Manhatten Express, Patrick Valenzuela, 4-1;

Aye Chihuahua, Chance Rollins, 10-1; Charmer Baron, Omar Berrio, 6-1; Kissin

Paster, Iggy Puglisi, 20-1; Pine for Java, Tyler Baze, 3-1; Hair Jordan,

Danny Sorenson, 5-1; Jimmy O, Matt Garcia, 7-2; and Slab Granite, Martin

Pedroza, 8-1. All have been assigned 114 pounds except Jimmy O, who was given

117.

No one hit the Pick Six for the second consecutive day, creating a two-day

carryover to Thursday of $116,575.84.

Hot Market and Reba's Gold were assigned co-high weight of 119 pounds for

Sunday's $100,000 Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap, which honors

the Fair Association's late president and chief executive officer.

First post time through closing day, Sunday, is 12:30 p.m.

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