The 34th Running of the Citation Handicap (GII)

For the second time in 2010, Victor's Cry sprung an upset in a significant turf race at Hollywood Park.


Some six months removed from his 21-1 surprise in the Shoemaker Mile, the 5-year-old son of Street Cry struck again Saturday, rallying strongly at 11-1 to win the $250,000 Citation Handicap.

Owned by Equilete Stable and trained by Eoin Harty, Victor's Cry, a late running Virginia bred, found a seam in deep stretch under Victor Espinoza and burst away to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

Now 3-for-5 on the Hollywood Park grass, Victor's Cry, who is out of the Clever Trick mare Short Time, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:39.86. He's won six of 20 overall and banked $564,021.

While providing both trainer and jockey with their first win in the Grade II, Victor's Cry keyed a longshot trifecta.

Proudinsky, making his first start since he won the San Gabriel Handicap last Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, was second at 15-1. He finished a nose in front of 28-1 outsider Meteore. Court Vision, the 7-5 favorite, was fourth, a head behind Meteore, in a failed quest to win a second Turf Festival race. The son of Gulch had won the 2008 Hollywood Derby in his only previous visit.

Victor's Cry paid $24.40, $12 and $6.20. Proudinsky returned $15.40 and $8.20. The show price on Meteore was $11.40. The $1 trifecta was worth $1,943.60.

"My horse was nice and relaxed, way, way back,'' said Espinoza. "Right before the three-eighths pole, I just let him slighty move up, little by little. There were a lot of horses in front of me and I just wanted to make sure I'd have a great trip.

"I didn't want him to get stopped under any circumstances because he's such a big horse. This was the first time I was on him, so I didn't know how he was going to react. Turning for home I was just waiting.

"There was just enough room to get through and when I turned him loose, he had a really strong kick. I just had to show him the whip, I didn't really have to hit him. He won easily. I was very impressed.''

Enriched finished fifth, a nose back of Court Vision, then came Bruce's Dream, Colgan's Chip, who led for the opening six furlongs, Violon Sacre, Ryehill Dreamer and Liberian Freighter.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Citation Handicap (GII)
• Hollywood Park
• Victor's Cry
• Victor Espinoza
• E. G. Harty

[GBeret83]

I thought Victor's Cry did America really proud with his effort in Dubai in the 2011 Dubai Duty Free. An awesome run in such a large field. Especially considering he had 4 multiple stakes winning horses in front of him in Presvis, River Jetez, Wigmore Hall, and Royal Bench. And the likes of Bankable, the champion miler in Hong Kong, Beauty Flash, and the Arlington Million winner, Debussy, well behind him. Well done to connection's of Victor's Cry in that race!!

[japanesehorseracing]

great race.

[BigBrown2332]

This race looked like COurt Vision was ready to run a mie and an eighth or farther even.