by Mike Curry

Heatseeker (Ire) uncoiled an explosive winning bid on the far turn and powered to a record-setting 5 1/4-length victory in the $245,000 Californian Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The five-year-old Giant’s Causeway horse completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.06 to break his own track record of 1:47.23 set while wining the Native Diver Handicap (G3) on December 8. He also turned the tables on familiar foe Tiago, who defeated Heatseeker while winning the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) on April 5 at Oaklawn Park.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for owner William Deburgh, Heatseeker won the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 1 at Santa Anita Park. He improved to seven wins in 17 career starts and boosted his earnings to $1,177,776.

“We gave him time off between the Oaklawn Handicap and this race,” Hollendorfer said. “We had considered running in the Pimlico Special [Handicap (G1)] but we just thought he needed a little freshening and it seemed to work. He likes to train and he likes his workouts, so he came up to the race in real good shape. Right now, the goal is the [Hollywood] Gold Cup [Stakes (G1) on June 28].”

Heatseeker broke alertly and settled into second inside of pacesetter Surf Cat, who set an easy tempo through a half-mile in :48.15. Heatseeker saved ground into the final turn under Rafael Bejarano and when roused, he readily quickened and seized the lead on the final turn.

Heatseeker steadily powered clear in the stretch and built a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole en route to a dominant victory.

“My horse broke really sharp and he got comfortable real fast,” Bejarano said. “We were going really slow early, and he was able to take advantage of the slow pace. I thought I had Surf Cat measured because I had a lot of gas left when we got to the turn. He was really running. It was like he re-broke at the eighth pole."

Multiple Grade 1 winner Tiago was 1 3/4 lengths clear of Surf Cat.

Bred in Ireland by Richard Barnes, Heatseeker is out of the Defensive Play mare Rusty Back.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor