Gallant Son outduels Mohican in Kerlan Memorial

Randall and Rossi's GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold) outdueled the

front-running Streakin' Mohican (Songandaprayer) by a head in Sunday's

$81,898

Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. at Hollywood Park.

The turf dash was at least as notable for the disappointing efforts

of two Breeders' Cup winners -- 2009 Sprint (G1) upsetter Dancing in

Silks (Black Minnaloushe), who ran evenly in seventh, and even more

surprisingly, 2009 Turf Sprint romper California Flag (Avenue of Flags),

who was virtually eased after tiring badly in his comeback.

California Flag applied early pressure to 5-2 favorite Streakin'

Mohican through splits of :22 2/5 and :44 3/5, but folded at the top of

the stretch. Meanwhile, Gallant Son was pouncing from just off the pace.

Although Streakin' Mohican battled back tenaciously along the rail,

Gallant Son wouldn't surrender his slim lead. The Frank Lucarelli charge

clocked six furlongs in 1:08 4/5 on the firm turf and paid $11.20, $5.20

and $3.40 at odds of 9-2.