Silky Sullivan

It took a head bob and a picture, but in the end it was Michael Bello, Jack

Mandato and Russell Sarno's EASTERN SAND (Line in the Sand) who was able to pull out the

victory in Saturday's $100,000

Silky Sullivan H. (G3) at Golden Gate Fields. The

chestnut three-year-old rated just off pacesetter Mr. Splash (Devil His Due), who led the

majority of the race through fractions of :24 2/5, :49 1/5, 1:14 4/5 and 1:37

before Eastern Sand dug in to get up in time for the score, completing nine

grassy furlongs in 1:49 under jockey Victor Espinoza.

Eastern Sand returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10 for the victory as the 1-2 favorite

while Mr. Splash gave back $3 and $2.10 for the place at 7-2 to end the $4

exacta ($1). Eager Pharisien (Pharisien [Fr])

crossed the wire two lengths behind that duo to pay $2.10 for third at 9-1 and

round out the 6-1-2 trifecta ($1) which paid $13. Aizarunner (Exploit), In

Excelsis (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Funny Flier (Michael's Flyer) completed the

order of finish. Sharp Writer (Capote) was an early scratch from the race.

Bred in Florida by Farnsworth Farm, the Jeff Mullins-trained Eastern Sand is

out of the winning Jamie O Eight (Far Out East) and counts himself as a

full brother to an unnamed two-year-old filly as well as a half-sibling to an

unnamed yearling by Double Honor and a weanling filly by Robyn Dancer. This

victory increases the gelding's record to 14-4-5-1 with $266,208 in earnings.

Eastern Sand found himself on the other end of the picture last out in the Oak

Tree Derby (G2), when he ran second in that one by a nose.