Congaree cruise at Hollywood Park

Congaree, placed it two legs of this year`s Triple Crown, romped home in the $500,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park on Sunday night.

Bob Baffert`s charge, who had been rested after finishing third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, recorded an authoritative victory on his return to action in the Grade One contest.

The Arazi colt took command shortly after the start and never looked in any danger as he cruised home under Gary Stevens, four lengths in front of Until Sundown with Jamaican Rum another three-quarters of a length back in third.

'I was real pleased with the way he relaxed early on,' Stevens told the Thoroughbred Times website.

'I didn`t know if it was going to be possible to get him to go that slow. He was very professional, very relaxed throughout the post parade and throughout the race. I don`t think he`s ever gone that slow early. So, he should have been able to fly home.'

Baffert added: 'He ran like he`s been working and I put Gary on there trying to get him to relax a little bit.

'It was nice there wasn`t any speed in there just cooking away, but this horse, with age, hopefully will learn to relax. His game is speed. In the Kentucky Derby, he chased those blazing, ridiculous fractions and still almost held on for second. That shows you the quality he is.'

In taking the first prize of $300,000, Congaree took his earnings to $997,400 and increased his record to four wins and two thirds in seven career starts.

Blueprint, formerly owned by The Queen, was on target in the Grade Two Sunset Handicap.

Ridden by Gary Stevens, the Bob Hess-trained six-year-old held Kudos by half-a-length in the mile and a half prize on turf.

Jockey Mike Luzzi could be out for six weeks after breaking his left ankle in a fall from Gold N Fancy at Belmont Park on Sunday.