Johnica Defeats Tamarinda by a Nose to Win $108,000 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park

Johnica, ridden by Chris McCarron, outran a class field of fillies and mares Sunday to win the $108,100 Wilshire Handicap by a nose on the turf at Hollywood Park.

The 4-year-old daughter of Stage Door Johnny took the lead at the start and never trailed, although she had to hold off French-invader Tamarinda. Salt Spring finished third, while heavily favored Reine Mathilde was fourth in the field of six.

The victory was the third in a row for Johnica, who scored her first stakes triumph three weeks ago at Santa Anita in a race for non-stakes winners. It was also only the second time the filly started on grass, but she showed her liking for the surface on which her sire scored numerous victories.