Crown Pleasure Ends Jack Van Berg’s Hollywood Park Losing Streak at 35

Crown Pleasure took the lead from favored Perfecting on the final turn and drew off for a 3 1/2-length victory in the $35,000 feature race Friday, snapping trainer Jack Van Berg’s 0-for-35 drought at Hollywood Park dating back to last fall.

Madcuff, a 33-1 shot, was second. Perfecting faded to third, 1 lengths back.

Ridden by Chris McCarron and getting a five-pound weight advantage at 114 over top-weighted Perfecting, Crown Pleasure ran the six furlongs on the turf in 1:08 2/5.

It was the 3-year-old colt’s third victory in five starts and Van Berg’s first success of the meeting after 31 setbacks. Van Berg had ended the fall meeting by saddling four straight losers.

Crown Pleasure, second betting choice of the crowd of 12,497, paid $5.40, $4 and $3. He won $19,250 for owner Thomas Liang and increased his winnings to $63,200.

Madcuff, ridden by Corey Black, paid $14.80 and $5. Perfecting, with Gary Stevens up, paid $2.40.