Debonaire Junior Is El Conejo Winner on Big Move in Stretch

Heavily favored Debonaire Junior, after stalking the early leaders, made a powerful stretch run and drew away from six rivals Wednesday to win the $65,950 El Conejo Stakes at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Chris McCarron, Debonaire Junior finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of Much Fine Gold, ridden by Rafael Meza. Fifty Six Ina Row, ridden by Laffit Pincay, was a nose farther back.

Clocked in 1:02 3/5 for 5 1/2 furlongs, Debonaire Junior paid $3.80, $3.40 and $2.40. Much Fine Gold returned $15.60 and $5.40, and Fifty Six Ina Row paid $2.60 to show.

Carrying high weight of 126 pounds, Debonaire Junior settled into stride just behind the early leaders down the backstretch and saved ground around the far turn. The 4-year-old gelding angled out entering the stretch, swept past the leaders a furlong out and drew off easily.