By The Associated Press

ARCADIA, Calif. - Johar defeated Rock Opera by a nose to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Johar covered 1 1-8 miles on the turf in a stakes record 1:46. The old mark of 1:46 2-5 was set last year by No Slip.

Johar paid $7.80 to win as the co-second choice in the wagering with Rock Opera.

Mananan McLir was another 13/4 lengths back in third place.

Wagering favorite Inesperado finished fourth, losing for the first time in the United States after three consecutive stakes wins. Jockey Kent Desormeaux replaced Corey Nakatani, who bruised his back and had sore muscles from when his mount was involved in a spill in the fifth race.

Inesperado beat Johar by one length in the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 7.

Johar was bumped at the start under Alex Solis, settled in fifth down the backstretch, then rallied.

"I was worried because the seconds were starting to pile up a little bit for him," said Solis, noting Johar's three second-place finishes. "He got squeezed hard at the start, but after that he was in a good position the whole way."

Mountain Rage, Royal Gem, Sunkosi and Dream Machine completed the order of finish. All starters carried 118 pounds.

Trained by Richard Mandella, Johar earned $90,000 for his third victory in 10 starts.

Lapuma wins Dowager Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Lapuma upset favored Volga on Sunday in the $112,200 Dowager Stakes for fillies and mares at Keeneland.

Ridden by Larry Melancon, the 5-year-old daughter of Lord Al War moved into contention on the final turn, caught San Dare approaching the eighth pole and won by a half-length.

Volga, the 2-5 favorite, finished a head behind San Dare.

Trained by Alton Quanbeck and owned by Jeffry Morris, Lapuma ran 11/2 miles in 2:35.17 on the turf course. The winner paid $12.80, $6.20 and $2.40, and earned $69,564 for a career total of $269,869.

San Dare returned $6.60 and $2.60, and Volga paid $2.10.

Humorous Lady takes Belmont's Astarita; Boston Bull wins Cowdin

NEW YORK - Humorous Lady beat Fast Cookie by a nose in the $150,000 Grade II Astarita Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Belmont Park on Sunday.

Carrying Jerry Bailey and 117 pounds, Humorous Lady was clocked in 1:17 3/5 over 61/2 furlongs on the sloppy track and earned $90,000 for the win, her fourth in five starts.

Humorous Lady returned $14.00, $6.60 and $3.50. Fast Cookie paid $10.40 and $4.80 and Chimichurri paid $2.90 to show.

Boston Bull beat Roaring Fever by four lengths and won the co-featured Grade III, $103,700 Cowdin Stakes for two-year-olds. Wacky for Love was third in the field reduced to four by the late scratches of Midnight Charlie and Run Production.

Ridden by John Velazquez and carrying 119 pounds, Boston Bull was clocked at 1:16 1/5 over 61/2 furlongs to earn $68,200 with his second win in three career starts.

Boston Bull returned $3.60 and $2.40. Roaring Fever paid $3.10. There was no show betting.