El Roblar hangs tough to take Inglewood

El Roblar would not be denied in the Inglewood (Benoit Photo)

Stonestreet Stables’ EL ROBLAR (War Chant) reeled in the free-running
speedster Ghosttrapper (Notebook) at the head of the stretch, then gamely turned
back a challenge from Heroi Do Bafra (Brz) (Royal Academy) to win the $109,500
Inglewood H. (G3) at Hollywood Park by a half-length on Saturday. The 8-5
favorite, El Roblar returned $5.20, $3.40 and $2.60 while covering 1 1/16 miles
over firm turf in 1:40 1/5.

El Roblar, under Victor Espinoza, was content to rate in third in the early
stages, well in back of Ghosttrapper, who led by as much as 10 lengths down the
backside while setting fractions of :23 1/5, :46 and 1:10. The gap between Ghosttrapper and the rest swiftly closed on the turn for home, and the gray was
out of gas when El Roblar ranged up alongside him with Heroi Do Bafra also
making a move on the outside of the eventual winner. Heroi Do Bafra made his bid
inside the final eighth but could not get past El Roblar, who was under a
vigorous drive.

The 11-1 Heroi Do Bafra returned $7.80 and $4.40 while Uffizi (El Prado [Ire]), who
finished another three parts of a length back in third, brought $3.60 to show at
nearly 5-1. El Roblar keyed $1 exotic payoffs of $20.80 (exacta), $85.30
(trifecta) and $248.30 (3-4-2-7 superfecta). Completing that superfecta was Get
Funky (Straight Man), who was followed by Hello Sunday (Fr) (Poliglote [GB]), Mr Napper Tandy (GB) (Bahamian Bounty) and Ghosttrapper. Rather Be Lucky
(Aptitude) and Storm Military (Arg) (Bernstein) were scratched.