Longshot Habaneros Wins Burke

Habaneros, a 14-1 shot who could have been claimed for $25,000 three months ago, led every step of the way to take the $100,000 Carleton F. Burke Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita.

In winning for the second time in six starts on turf, the 5-year-old son of Tabasco Cat ran the 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.91 under jockey David Flores. Owned by John Bell and trained by Ray Bell, Habaneros finished three-quarters of a length in front of Pellegrino, another 14-1 shot. Gallant, the longest shot in the field at 29-1, was third. Continuously, the 13-10 favorite, finished seventh, beating only Leprechaun Kid.

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Seattles Best Joe, a 2-year-old gelding who was purchased for $4,500 last fall, was successful in his California debut, rallying from last to win the $86,025 Sunny Slope Stakes at Santa Anita.

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Jockey John Velazquez won three of the seven stakes for New York breds during Belmont Park’s New York Showcase Day.

Velazquez won the $100,000 Sleepy Hollow with the unbeaten 2-year-old Galloping Grocer, the $150,000 Mohawk with favored Irish Colonial and the $125,000 Hudson with Friendly Island.

Other winners on the card were Pelham Bay ($100,000 Maid Of The Mist), Sugar Punch ($125,000 Iroquois), On The Bus ($150,000 Ticonderoga) and Spite The Devil ($250,000 Empire Classic).