by Jenny Blandford

Bold Chieftain unleashed a determined late bid to secure a half-length victory in the $250,000 California Cup Classic Handicap on Saturday at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park, the highlight of the California Cup day for California-breds.

The Chief Seattle colt settled in fifth through six-furlongs in 1:09.86 while Cheroot and 8-to-5 favorite Lava Man battled for the lead. Bold Chieftain rallied between foes on the turn, bid three deep in the stretch, and gamely prevailed, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.23 on the all-weather Cushion Track surface.

Celtic Dream finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of Seminole Native. Lava Man weakened late and finished sixth in the ten-horse field.

Grade 3-placed Unusual Suspect split rivals and rallied late to secure a 1 3/4-length win in the $175,000 California Cup Mile Handicap.

The Unusual Heat colt raced in eighth through six furlongs before rallying under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and prevail, covering one-mile in 1:33.89 on firm turf.

Grade 1 winner Bilo returned from a four-month layoff and scored a front-running half-length win in the $150,000 California Cup Sprint Handicap.

The Bertrando gelding, who completed six furlongs in 1:07.87, won the Triple Bend Invitational Handicap (G1) on July 7 at Hollywood Park in his previous start.

Grade 1 winner Romance Is Diane led at every point of call en route to a commanding 6 1/4-length win in the $150,000 California Cup Matron Handicap, setting a track record of 1:40.38 for 1 1/16 miles.

Gentle Charmer, rallied late to win the $150,000 California Cup Distaff Handicap by 1 3/4-lengths and secure her first stakes win.

Sent off as the 54-to-1 co-longshot, Gentle Charmer was unhurried early and veered out entering the stretch. The Bertrando mare overtook Lady Gamer in deep stretch, completing 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:12.31. 

Sierra Sunset secured his second consecutive stakes win in the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile Stakes with a 1 1/2-length score over 9-to-5 favorite My Redeemer.

The Bertrando colt stalked Wise Mandate from the outside, bid three deep near the turn, and inched away when challenged in the stretch, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.65 on the all-weather Cushion Track surface.

My Redeemer held on for second, six lengths clear of Harlene.

Runforthemoneybaby surged clear to a 5 1/2-length win as the 11-to-10 favorite in the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes.

The Unusual Heat filly, who won for the second time in five career starts, completed 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather Cushion Track in 1:42.15. 

Imagine held on gamely under urging by jockey Corey Nakatani for a three-quarter-length win in the $100,000 California Cup Distance Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile turf race for fillies and mares. 

Sent off as the 6-to-5 favorite, the Giant’s Causeway filly covered the distance in 2:01.90 on firm turf, securing her fifth win from nine career starts.

For the Equibase charts, click here.

Jenny Blandford is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor