Andujar Proves She’s a Good-Buy Girl Now

After she won by 10 1/2 lengths in her main-track debut April 28, Andujar was purchased privately by trainer Doug O’Neill for owners J. Paul Reddam and Mark Schlessinger for a reported $750,000.

Considering that all she had done was win a first condition allowance race against four suspect opponents, this might have seemed a rather hefty price.

Not now. The way Andujar ran in the $205,150 Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park, the 4-year-old daughter of Quiet American was a bargain.

In front from the outset, which is something nobody would have predicted, Andujar, a 7-1 shot, demolished seven foes in the Grade II, winning by seven lengths in a rapid 1:41.59 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Andujar, who began her career by losing five races on the turf in France before coming to the U.S., set quick fractions -- 45.96 for the half-mile and 1:09.96 for six furlongs -- and extended her lead in the final eighth of a mile.

“That was unbelievable,” said O’Neill. “I’m speechless. I was very anxious for this race to come and go and so glad it ended up the way it did. Because if she didn’t win today, well, people would say we probably overpaid for her. I think today sort of validated her.”

Nakatani, who won the Milady for the first time, was certainly impressed.

“I knew she was good, but I didn’t realize she was this good,” he said. “She is something else. ... She’s so big and strong and she can pretty much dictate what she wants to do with her races. These are the kind you want to ride and I’m sure glad I got her.”

Hollywood Story, the 3-2 favorite, finished second, then came defending champion Star Parade; Alphabet Kisses, who lost for the first time in six races at Hollywood Park; Santa Candida, Siphon Honey and House Of Fortune.

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In the day’s other stakes race in Inglewood, River’s Prayer, the 4-5 favorite, remained unbeaten as she led throughout to win the $94,125 Cinderella.

Co-owned and trained by Paula Capestro and ridden by Felipe Martinez, the 2-year-old daughter of Devon Lane beat 5-2 second choice My Lucky Free by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:04.30 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

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Round Pond, the 2-1 favorite, took charge nearing the wire to win the $250,000 Acorn at Belmont Park.

Owned by Fox Hill Farm and trained by John Servis, the 3-year-old Awesome Again filly has won four in a row after finishing third in her career debut on Feb. 13. The Acorn, a Grade I, was her first start outside Arkansas.

Ridden by Stewart Elliott, Round Pond, who bobbled leaving the gate from her inside post, beat 6-1 shot Smuggler by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:35.33 for the mile.

In The Gold, who made a wide rally from last to take the lead into the stretch, lost her punch late and had to settle for third, a half-length in front of 2-1 second choice Splendid Blended, who was making her first start since winning the Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 19.

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Scrappy T, the runner-up to Afleet Alex in the Preakness on May 21, won’t run in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

“It’s mainly the distance [1 1/2 miles] and the fact that he would be coming back in three weeks,” said trainer Robert Bailes. “He’s a gelding and we’re in it for the long haul.”

Besides Afleet Alex and Kentucky Derby upset winner Giacomo, the others being considered for the Belmont are Andromeda’s Hero, A.P. Arrow, Pinpoint, Indy Storm, Watchmon, Reverberate, Southern Africa, Chehkov and Nolan’s Cat. Entries for the Belmont will be taken Wednesday.