ROUNDUP : SIXIEME SENS TOPS ALPRIDE.

Byline: Associated Press

Sixieme Sens, a granddaughter of Seattle Slew, gained quickly in the final furlong for a half-length win over favored Alpride in Sunday's $132,950 San Gorgonio Handicap on the turf at Santa Anita.

Under jockey Corey Nakatani, the 5-year-old mare covered 1-1/8 miles over a firm track in 1:47 for the third victory in her last four starts.

``She's a nice mare, tries hard, and she beat a group of competitive horses in this race,'' Nakatani said. ``Hopefully, she can replace the retired Wandesta. She's got ability (and) tries, so hopefully.''

The victory was Nakatani's fourth in the Grade II race for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up.

Sixieme Sens, carrying 116 pounds, paid $8.40, $3.60 and $2.80. It was her seventh win in 20 starts. She raised her total earnings to $413,887.

Ridden by Chris McCarron, Alpride, carrying the high weight of 120 pounds, came in second by a full length over Grafin, ridden by Corey Black.

Alpride paid $3.20 and $2.80 and Grafin, carrying 116, paid $3.80.

Fanjica was a neck back and came in fourth.

G.F. Almeida rode Real Connection to fifth place and lodged an interference claim against the winner. ``The horse outside gave me pressure,'' Almeida said. ``My mare just sees from the left side. She got scared. I hollered at the riders outside not to come in on her.

``I was afraid she might go over the fence.''

The foul called during the first pass by the stands was not allowed.

Sweet song of success: Unbridled's Song, the beaten favorite in last year's Kentucky Derby, won for the first time since April 13 in a three-horse field at the $75,000 Olympic Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.

Unbridled's Song took control in midstretch and won by 3-1/4 lengths over Appealing Skier. Splendid Sprinter was last in the seven-furlong feature.

Unbridled's Song, who won handily, turned in an excellent time of 1:21 2-5 and paid $3.60.

The winner's impressive performance sets him up for the $300,000 Grade 1 Donn Handicap on Feb. 8. If he performs well in that race, he will go on to the $500,000 Grade 1 Gulfstream Handicap at a mile and a quarter on March 1.

Unbridled's Song was regarded as the country's best 3-year-old last year after he won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream by 5-3/4 lengths in March and then took the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct a month later.

He set the pace to midstretch in the Kentucky Derby, but tired and finished fifth. He finished second in the Peter Pan, then next to last in the Citation Challenge at Arlington in July.

Unbridled's Song had numerous physical problems and, when he returned to the races in an allowance race at Aqueduct on Nov. 30, he had new trainer Nick Zito. He was beaten by a length and a quarter at odds of 2 to 5, but was back in top form in the Olympic, carrying 119 pounds.

He has won five times and finished second four times in his 12 starts, earning $1.3 million.

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Photo

Photo: Unbridled's Song, ridden by Mike Smith, took control midway through the Olympic Handicap in Hallandale, Fla. to easily win the $75,000 race.

Associated Press