Robador wins featured race of $1.3 million day at Hollywood

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Long shot Robador got up in the closing strides to beat Lucky J.H. and win the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes by a half-length Sunday on California Gold Rush day at Hollywood Park.

Thor’s Echo, the 8-5 wagering favorite and $500,000 WinStar Derby winner, and $1 million Delta Jackpot winner Texcess dueled with a quarter-mile to go before Lucky J.H. took the lead at the top of the stretch. Robador came charging from the back of the pack on the outside just before the wire for the upset.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Robador covered 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.40 and paid $48.60 to win at 23-1 odds.

Top This and That was third and Thor’s Echo was a nose behind in fourth in the field of 12 3-year-olds, any of whom could turn up later on the Triple Crown trail. None will run in the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

Doug O’Neill was shut out with 10 horses Sunday. His best result was the second-place finish of Cee’s Irish in the $200,000 Melair Stakes.

The 10-race card for California-breds worth $1.3 million featured six stakes with six-figure purses.