Ultra Blend wins Valentine Dancer at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Ultra Blend defeated Evening Jewel by 11/4 lengths to win Saturday's $100,000 Valentine Dancer Handicap at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Ultra Blend ran one mile in 1:35.58 after overnight rains forced the race to be moved from the turf to the dirt. The field was reduced from 11 to four starters.

Ultra Blend paid $4.60 and $2.40, while Evening Jewel returned $2.10 to show as the 4-5 favorite. There was no show wagering. La Nez was another 41/4 lengths back in third.

Evening Jewel had been scheduled to run in last Monday's Grade II Buena Vista Handicap, but was scratched because of reasons that included drawing the disadvantageous outside post.

The victory, worth $60,000, increased Ultra Blend's career earnings to $460,646, with eight wins in 19 starts.