Bushwacker gets win after inquiry

Bushwacker, a 6-1 shot, survived a steward’s inquiry to win the $105,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park. Crowd favorite Greg’s Gold, sent off at even money, finished third.

Bushwacker, fourth choice in a field of five, sped to the lead and covered the six furlongs on the synthetic Cushion Track in 1:08.47 to finish three-quarters of a length in front of second choice In Summation.

Greg’s Gold, named by owner Bill Boswell after his late grandson, Greg Boswell, who died at 16 only a few months after the 6-year-old gelding was born, was just another neck back.

In Summation’s jockey, Corey Nakatani, filed a foul claim against Joe Talamo, who rode the winner. But the stewards allowed the order of finish to stand.

“Look at that,� Nakatani said while watching a replay in the jockeys’ room after the race. “His whip hits my horse right in the face.�

Nakatani’s main complaint was that Bushwacker floated out, impeding In Summation.

“He was herding my horse,� Nakatani said. “Every time I got close to him, he’d just float out and my horse would have to check himself. You’re not allowed to herd. Five or six strides to the wire I couldn’t even ride him because he kept floating my horse out.�

Talamo, who also rode Ohtobeexcessive to a win in the ensuing 10th race, said of Bushwacker: “At the 16th pole, he came out a little but didn’t make any contact. He tends to do that every race, I don’t know why. I guess it’s just him.�

Nakatani, 38, said, “I’m old school. I think when a horse wants to come out you have to control him.�

Victor Espinoza, the rider on Greg’s Gold, had no complaints about his trip in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up.

“He ran great, but 6 1/2 furlongs would have been better for him,� Espinoza said. “I had too much ground to catch up with the two up front.�

Bushwacker, a 5-year-old son of Outflanker, won for the second consecutive time and the fifth time in 23 starts while boosting his earnings to $285,840 with the winner’s share of $65,800.

“I thought he was clearly the best horse in the race,� said trainer Bill Currin, who owns Bushwacker in partnership with Al Eisman.

Sunday’s program drew an on-track crowd of 5,640. Garrett Gomez rode three winners to move ahead of Tyler Baze, 23 wins to 21, atop the jockeys’ standings.

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