Le Belvedere, Shoemaker Team Again to Win Santa Anita Feature by a Head

Le Belvedere, ridden by Bill Shoemaker, used a strong stretch run to win Friday’s $35,000 feature race at Santa Anita by a head in a three-horse photo finish.

Mr. Media, ridden by Laffit Pincay, was second by a nose but was disqualified and placed third when films showed Pincay struck Hard Round in the face while reaching back to whip his horse as they neared the wire. Hard Round, who threw his head back at the wire when hit by the whip, was moved up from third to second.

Le Belvedere ran the 6 1/2 furlongs on grass in 1:15 2/5 and paid $5.60, $3.40 and $2.60. Hard Round, ridden by Fernando Toro, paid $3.20 and $2.60, and Mr. Media returned $2.60 to show.

Le Belvedere, making his first start since winning the Bay Meadows Derby Nov. 29, has won the last three times Shoemaker has ridden him. It was the 8,634th victory of Shoemaker’s career.