by Jenny Blandford

Polonius held off a fast-closing Indian Sun in the final strides to earn his first graded stakes win with a half-length victory in the $106,800 Will Rogers Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Sent off as the 1.70-to-1 favorite in the field of five three-year-olds, Polonius dictated the pace under Jon Court through the opening quarter in :23.73, a half-mile in :47.51, and six furlongs in 1:11.17.

Indian Sun advanced on the turn to challenge Polonius for the lead from the outside. Indian Sun continued gamely but Polonius held on to prevail, completing one mile in 1:34.95 on firm turf.

“He likes to be in front,” Court said. “I don't think he necessarily has to be in front, but that's his preference. I thought the pace would be a little bit more contested, but he inherited the lead pretty good.”

Indian Sun finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Ez Dreamer.

Trained by Michael Pender for B. J. Wright, Polonius entered off an unplaced finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his first start on the main track on April 5. He earned his first stakes win in the Pasadena Stakes on March 15 at Santa Anita Park.

A half brother to stakes winners Captive Melody and Witten, Polonius is out of the multiple stakes-winning Red Ransom mare Word o’ Ransom. He improved to three wins in five starts and boosted his earnings to $143,100.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jenny Blandford is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor