River Savage earns the grade in Hawthorne

L-Bo Racing & Monte Pyle's RIVER SAVAGE (Brz) (First American) took command

entering the stretch and kept a clear advantage in taking the $107,300

Hawthorne H. (G3) over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park on Sunday. Tracking

in the early stages under Omar Berrio, the dark bay moved to the front

three-wide and was never seriously challenged thereafter, keeping 6-5 favorite Cantabria

(GB) (Dansili [GB]) two lengths at bay under the wire. The A.C. Avila charge

completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 and rewarded backers with mutuels of $21.20,

$7.20 and $4 at 9-1.

Cantabria was toward the rear early, moved threateningly while wide turning

for home, but could not keep up with the top one late. The runner-up paid $3.60

and $2.60 while finishing the $30.40 exacta ($1). Ballado's Thunder (Saint

Ballado) was another length back at 9-2, worth $3.20 while completing the

$101.20 trifecta ($1). Pacesetter Pyramid Love (Fusaichi Pegasus) was next and

followed by Seafree (Chief Seattle) and Maxxi Arte (Ire) (Danehill Dancer).

River Savage earned her second career stakes, and first graded, win in here, following a score in the Paseana H. four prior. The five-year-old owns

placings in the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) and Kalookan Queen H. The

mare sports $269,409 in earnings from a 17-6-1-3 lifetime mark.

The winner was bred by Haras Guaiuvira and produced from the stakes-placed

Double Whistle (Giboulee).