Friday, October 09, 2009

DAVE’S REVENGE STEPS UP FOR HOLLENDOFER WITH AZERI VICTORY

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2009) – Claimed one race back for $25,000 by co-owner and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Dave’s Revenge advanced quickly for her new connections Thursday when overtaking pace-setter Aromatherapy to win Oak Tree’s featured $46,000 Azeri Purse by 1 ¼ lengths while negotiating 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.87 at Santa Anita Park.

The 3-year-old daughter of The Cliff’s Edge, who one year ago finished fourth in Oak Tree’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies behind Stardom Bound at odds of 64-1, was sent off as the 9-2 fourth choice in Thursday’s allowance field of 10 fillies and mares.


According to Hollendorfer, he had schooled her frequently at the gate prior to the Azeri as habitually slow starts had been a hindrance during much of her career. “She’s learned not to be afraid of the gate,” said jockey Victor Espinoza when interviewed by HRTV in the winner’s circle on Thursday.

Dave’s Revenge paid $11.20, $5.80 and $5 while gaining her third win in 13 career starts and depriving Aromatherapy’s jockey, Joel Rosario, of his fourth win from six mounts on the program.

Aromatherapy, who held on by 1 ¾ lengths over third-place longshot Merrily with Tyler Baze aboard, paid $5.80 and $4. Merrily returned $15.40 to show.

The victory was worth $26,400 to Hollendorfer and partner George Todaro while increasing the lifetime earnings of Dave’s Revenge to $198,618. “She’s gotten a lot better,” said Espinoza, who rode the dark bay filly to victory when she was claimed for $16,000 two races back.

Oak Tree’s popular “Free Fridays” promotion continues on Friday with the track offering free General Admission, free box seats on a first-come, first-served basis, and a $1 price tag on beer, hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and coffee. Post time on “Free Fridays” is one hour later, at 2 p.m., with an eight-race program scheduled. Mast Track, winner of the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup, is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the featured Sunday Silence Purse, which goes as the seventh race at one mile on the main track.

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