Clubhouse Ride, at age 6, shows veteran moves to win at Santa Anita

Clubhouse Ride, a versatile 6-year-old with more than $1.1 million in career earnings while competing in races from 61/2 furlongs to 11/4 miles, keeps finding ways to stay relevant.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Clubhouse Ride rallied along the rail under jockey Joe Talamo to win a stretch duel with 1-2 favorite Fury Kapcori by a half length to take the Grade II, $200,500 Californian at 11/8 miles. It was his fifth career victory in 37 starts.

Clubhouse Ride has been chasing the best horses in Southern California’s handicap division, from Game On Dude to Imperative. Every once in a while, the son of Candy Ride rises up, as was the case Saturday.

The other feature was the Grade I, $350,750 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies going 11/4 miles on the turf. Nashoba’s Gold, ridden by Talamo, went off as the 3-2 favorite, but it was East Coast invader Room Service and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan triumphing by 21/4 lengths over Diversy Harbor.

Nashoba’s Gold finished fifth in the eight-horse field after failing to make it through an opening during traffic in the stretch.

With Rafael Bejarano still recovering from injuries suffered in a spill at Santa Anita on May 10, Talamo has taken over the lead in the riding standings with 26 after three consecutive wins Saturday. Tyler Baze is in second with 19.

Santa Anita is looking to take advantage of next Saturday’s Belmont Stakes in New York, with a large crowd expected in Arcadia to root for California Chrome in his bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.