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Two Step Salsa dances to victory in Laz Barrera Everest Stables' homebred TWO STEP SALSA (Petionville) broke just behind Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat) in Sunday's $107,200 Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G3) at Hollywood Park, but was quickly hustled to the front by jockey Martin Pedroza from his rail post and was never headed en route to a three-length score. Trained by Julio Canani, the dark bay sophomore ran splits of :22 3/5 and :44 3/5 with Salute the Sarge just behind and to his outside. Entering the stretch, the rest of the field momentarily appeared ready to catch up to the longtime leader, but Two Step Salsa merely kicked into another gear and pulled away, finishing seven furlongs on the Cushion Track in 1:20 3/5. Sent off at 3-1, Two Step Salsa paid $8, $3.60 and $3.20 while keying the $15.60 exacta ($1) and $64.30 trifecta ($1) (1-5-4). Afleet Ruler (Northern Afleet) was going best of the rest, taking down the place by 2 1/4 lengths and returning $3.80 and $3 at 3-1 as well. Dixie Chatter (Dixie Union) held third by one length over Wind's Legacy (Millennium Wind), giving back $3.80 at 9-2. Salute the Sarge, the 2-1 favorite, and Rapidity (GB) (Mind Games) concluded the order under the wire. Two Step Salsa began his career at Santa Anita in January, taking his debut by three parts of a length before adding a 2 3/4-length victory in an allowance/optional claimer over that Cushion Track. Switching to Hollywood for his stakes and turf debut last out, the dark bay colt just missed by 1 1/4 lengths when second in the Harry Henson S. With this victory, the Kentucky-bred has now banked $139,730. Two Step Salsa is out of the unraced Two to Waltz (Seattle Slew), who has since produced an unnamed yearling full brother to the Laz Barrera winner. This is the female line of Grade/Group 3 winners Very Special Lite (Majestic Light), Strategic Partner (Kris S.) and Current Charge (Little Current).
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