ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2009) – Bel Air Sizzle ended a 10-race dry spell on Friday when Joe Talamo rallied her boldly from last place in a field of eight fillies and mares to capture Oak Tree’s $57,506 allowance feature by one-half length over Pericia Fina while covering

1 ¼ miles over Santa Anita’s Camino Real Turf Course in 2:00.78.

“She broke a bit flat-footed,” Talamo said in the winner’s circle, “but I think it helped her because she relaxed so well after that. She likes to sit back and make one run, and the added distance helped her a lot today.”

A 4-year-old Unusual Heat filly trained by Barry Abrams, Bel Air Sizzle had gone one mile in her two previous starts. The win was her first since dead-heating for victory in the $100,000 Valentine Dancer Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb. 9.

Bel Air Sizzle gained the advantage in the closing strides on Friday as Pericia Fina, ridden by Richard Migliore, nudged Spring Style and jockey Joel Rosario by a nose for the place.

The winner paid $15.80, $7.20 and $4.40. The mutuel payoffs on the longshot runner-up were $16 and $9.60. Spring Style paid $5 to show. Don’t Forget Faith, the 5-2 favorite, was not a factor while finishing fifth.

During a stellar season as a 3-year-old, Bel Air Sizzle had earned $368,866 from 4 wins in 12 starts, but she had a more difficult time breaking through against mostly stakes company this year.

Bel Air Sizzle’s victory on Friday was worth $36,600 to partners Madeline Auerbach, Vincenzo Loverso and Ron McCauley. The purse raised her 2009 winnings to $143,280 and her career total to $565,646 from an overall record of 6-4-3 in 28 starts.

The 23rd running of the Grade III, $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf highlights Saturday’s nine-race program with first post set for 12:30 p.m.

ESPN’s Rick Reilly will pinch hit for Trevor Denman and provide the live call of Saturday’s first race at 6 ½ furlongs.