Hollywood Starlet

A splended win at Hollywood (Benoit Photo)

Peter Vegso’s homebred SPLENDID BLENDED (Unbridled’s Song) moved to the fore
turning for home and cruised home a most impressive winner of the $390,000
Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) on Sunday. The chestnut broke alertly and was kept in
second by jockey Kent Desormeaux right off the pace established by No Bull Baby (Indian Charlie), which
was :23 3/5, :46 3/5 and 1:11 after six furlongs, before opening up and keeping
Sharp Lisa (Dixieland Band) at bay late. The final time of the fast-track race was 1:41
4/5, tying the stakes record. Trained by Neil Drysdale, the winner returned
$4.60, $2.60 and $2.40 as the 6-5 favorite.

Sharp Lisa moved three wide on the turn for home in good striking range, but
offered no challenge to the top one, falling short by two lengths. The 8-5
second choice completed the $5.50 exacta ($1), paying $2.60 and $2.40. Northern Mischief (Yankee Victor)
enjoyed a good trip on the inside but could do no better than the show, worth
$3.40. The winning trifecta paid $23.40 ($1) with the 10-1 shot in third. No
Bull Baby tired to fourth and was followed by Charming Colleen (Charismatic), Kenza (Menifee) and Memorette (Memo [Chi]).

Splendid Blended moved her mark to 4-3-1-0 with earnings of $327,400. The
two-year-old was second to top juvenile filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) in the
Oak Leaf S. (G2) two back. She was bred in Florida and is the second graded
stakes winner produced from the unraced Valid Blend (Valid Appeal), following
2001 Gotham S. (G3) and Withers S. (G3) hero Richly Blended (Rizzi). The lass
also has a yearling half-brother named Well Blended (Red Ransom).