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Rail Trip returns with easy score in Mervyn LeRoy

Rail Trip showed no signs of rust in the Mervyn LeRoy (Benoit Photos) Jay Em Ess Stable's RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) returned off a lengthy layoff with a sharp performance in Saturday's $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, winning as pleased by 3 1/4 lengths. With new jockey Rafael Bejarano in the irons, the Ron Ellis-trained gelding completed 1 1/16 miles over the Cushion Track in 1:42 1/5. Unraced since a third in the Pacific Classic (G1), the five-year-old has now earned $877,790 from his stellar 10-7-2-1 lifetime mark. Rail Trip, who garnered his first stakes score in Santana Mile H. 13 months ago, finished second in both the Mervyn Leroy and Californian S. (G2) before romping by three lengths in the 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in 2009. He's expected to follow the same pattern this year, tuning up for his title defense in the July 10 Gold Cup with a start in the 1 1/8-mile Californian on June 12.

Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park) sprinted to the fore when the gates opened in the Mervyn LeRoy and led the field through early splits of :24 2/5, :48 3/5 and 1:12 3/5 as Rail Trip settled into a comfortable stalking trip in second, within a couple of lengths of the pacesetter. He easily moved to the lead approaching the conclusion of the far turn and drew off in upper stretch when given his cue by Bejarano, quickly eliminating any possibility of suspense with a strong turn of foot. Rail Trip cruised to the finish line under a long hold.

Favored at 1-2 among seven rivals, Rail Trip paid $3, $2.60 and $2.10. Sangaree (Awesome Again) offered a solid run for second at 16-1, 1 1/4 lengths better than the late-running Cigar Man (Drewman). Place returned $8 and $3.40, and 28-1 outsider Cigar Man was good for $7.20. Tres Borrachos weakened to fourth and was followed under the wire by Dakota Phone (Zavata), Slew's Tiznow (Tiznow) and Art Currency (Street Cry [Ire]). The $1 exotics totaled $11.30 (exacta), $92.20 (trifecta) and $448.10 (6-2-4-5 superfecta).

Bred in Kentucky by Donarra Thoroughbreds, Rail Trip was purchased by his owners for $200,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Sale and is the first foal from the winning Carson City mare Sweet Trip, who is also the dam of a two-year-old filly by Stormy Atlantic. Sweet Trip is out of stakes winner Stellar Affair (Skywalker).

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