Lifeline, one of the best bred horses at Santa Anita, won an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option in Sunday's seventh race, the colt's first start since April.
Ridden by Flavien Prat and sent off favored, Lifeline ($6.80) closed from just off the pace to win by three-quarters of a length over 6-1 Temple Keys. Lifeline ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:47.82.
Lifeline is by leading stallion Tapit and is out of Life Is Sweet, the winner of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, now known as the Distaff.
A 4-year-old, Lifeline has won 2 of 4 starts. He won a maiden race at 1 1-8 miles on turf in his second start on April 1, 2017 but was a well-beaten fourth in an optional claimer on dirt on April 29 last year. Lifeline was diagnosed with a bone chip in a knee after that race which kept him off the track until Sunday.
Lifeline is trained by Richard Mandella for owners and breeders Marty and Pam Wygod. Mandella said after Sunday's race he remains hopeful Lifeline can develop into a turf marathon stakes runner this year.