Hollendorfer Sweeps Native Diver

In a race that was a fight from start to finish, horses trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer finished first, second and third on Saturday at Hollywood Park in the $150,000 Grade III Native Diver Stakes. Blueskiesnrainbows, the 3-1 second choice took the win, followed closely by the 5-2 favorite Hear the Ghost, with 4-1 Rousing Sermon finishing third. While Hollendorfer trains all three that finished in the money, they all have different ownership and were not running as an entry.

Blueskiesnrainbows wants and gets lead

Breaking hard out of the gate and hustled to the front early, Blueskiesnrainbows had to battle hard to get to the lead, pressed by 5-1 Soi Phet , Hear the Ghost and Rousing Sermon. Running a 23:51 first quarter in the 1 1/8 miles event, less than two lengths covered all four into the first turn. Those four would continue to battle through the first three-quarters in 1:12.34.  Turning for home, the first flight spread five wide across the track, with Drill at 7-1 mounting a charge on the leading group.

Five are in with a shot turning for home

As they straightened away, Blueskiesnrainbows was able to open a bit on the others, and hit the wire a half-length in front, with Hear the Ghost another 1/2 length ahead of Rousing Sermon. The $2 win paid $8.40, while the $1 exacta returned $16.20, and the $1 trifecta paid  $59.30. It was the third win in 12 starts for Blueskiesnrainbows this year, and he now holds an overall record of six wins, three seconds and three thirds in 22 lifetime starts. It was also the second graded-stales win of his career, the last coming 18 months ago in the Grade II Swaps Stakes, also at Hollywood.