Bejarano ends Treasure Hunter’s runner-up string

After breaking his maiden at Santa Anita in late October, Treasure Hunter started seven times under a string of journeyman jockeys and finished second in four of those races. All it took to end that runner-up string yesterday was a switch to one of the top riders in the country – Rafael Bejarano.

Competing in a six-furlong starter allowance with a purse of $33,345, Bejarano shot the 3-year-old Treasure Beach colt to the lead and the two were in full control as Treasure Hunter posted sizzling fractions of :21.87, :45.19 and :57.65. The colt bred in Kentucky by Norman G. Houston III, a $61,000 OBS April purchase, was never threatened and went on to score by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:10.76. The $19,800 winner’s check raised Treasure Hunter’s bank account to $62,580 and vaulted his sire within less than $15,000 from the $1 million mark in career progeny earnings.