INGLEWOOD, Calif. (October 27, 2010)—Appealing Afare was successful in her first start since June 9, defeating Vision in Gold to win the $40,000 feature Wednesday at Oak Tree/Hollywood Park.

Idle for nearly five months after finishing second on the local turf course, Appealing Afare was ready for the off-the-pace score for owners Gardner, Master and Westside Rentals and trainer Doug O’Neill.

In defeating the 3-5 favorite, who had been away since finishing last in the Hollywood Oaks June 6, by a half-length, Appealing Afare completed a triple for leading jockey Rafael Bejarano.

A 3-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal out of the Meadowlake mare Afare, Appealing Afare ran the six furlongs over Cushion Track in 1:10.01. The win was her second in six starts. The 2-1 second choice pushed her earnings to $63,840.

The race was the Kentucky bred’s second for her current connections. Appealing Afare was claimed for $50,000 out of a maiden victory May 22 at Hollywood Park.

The winner returned $6.80 and $2.60. There was no show wagering. Vision in Gold, who was coupled in the betting with Rote, paid $2.10.

Onenightin Beijing, the pacesetter under jockey Martin Garcia, Rote and Paleo completed the order of finish. Naughty Mariana broke through the gate prior to the start, unseating rider Felipe Valdez, who escaped injury, and was scratched after getting loose.

Bejarano, who also won the third with Frequent Fame and the sixth aboard Format V., has a 30-28 advantage over Joel Rosario with four days left in the inaugural Oak Tree/Hollywood Park season.

Racing resumes Thursday. Post time is 1 p.m. There is a carryover in the Super High Five of $26,904.

The afternoon start represents a change from Oak Tree’s original calendar. The card was supposed to begin at 7:05 p.m. until the alteration was made last weekend.

Entries were drawn Wednesday for the 21st California Cup, which will be run Saturday. The 10 race program includes seven stakes for California breds with purses totaling $700,000.