Shotiche Posts Upset in Murray Handicap

The last of four Friday night programs at Hollywood Park was the most successful.

The crowd of 24,982 surpassed the 24,529 who came out for the first evening card June 22 on an evening when the track paid tribute to Jim Murray, the Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist.

In the inaugural running of the $75,000-added Jim Murray Handicap, 10-1 shot Shotiche slipped through along the inside to beat Record Boom, Kaboi and nine others.

Ridden by Corey Black, the 4-year-old Northern Dancer colt saved the evening for Bobby Frankel, who also sent out Saratoga Passage in the Murray. The 7-5 favorite was fourth after trailing most of the way.

Well-placed throughout behind the slow pace (:24, :48 and 1:12 3/5 for six furlongs), Shotiche accelerated in the final furlong and beat Record Boom, a 5-1 shot, by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:00 3/5 for the 1 1/4 miles on turf. Kaboi, who took over the lead into the stretch, was a nose back in third, a head in front of Saratoga Passage.

Shotiche paid $23.80, $11.20 and $6.60 to show.

Earlier, Murray was honored in a winner’s circle ceremony after the fifth race.

Horse Racing Notes

Longshots dominated Friday night, so there’s a Pick Six carryover of $105,721.78 for today. . . . David Flores had three winners and they all paid big prices--Southern Rocker ($34.80) in the first, Sparshott ($29.40) in the third and Pass The Blame ($18.20) in the fifth.