Larry The Legend Back on His Game

Larry The Legend won for the first time since he defeated Afternoon Deelites in the 1995 Santa Anita Derby in the $78,600 Skywalker Stakes on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Making his second start after a seven-month layoff and only his eighth since the Derby victory, the 5-year-old Local Talent horse beat Invitato Mio and two others in 1:36 3/5 for the mile. Under Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard Afternoon Deelites in the Derby, Larry The Legend won by half a length. Gary Stevens, who rode him that day, was on Invitato Mio.

Owned and trained by Craig Lewis, who earned his first victory of the 22-day old Oak Tree meeting, Larry The Legend, who has had knee and throat problems, paid $5.40 as the 8-5 favorite.

Able to dictate the pace after the scratch of The Last Spell, Desormeaux and the winner drew two lengths clear with an eighth of a mile to go, then held on for his fifth win in 10 starts at Santa Anita.

“It’s really a pleasure to see him run,” Lewis said. “Kent rode him well and he showed his courage today. He’s a really game horse and a tough competitor and that’s why people like him.”