INGLEWOOD, Calif. (April 28, 2012)— Unusual Heatwave, a half-brother to 2010 winner Alphie’s Bet, collared favored Stoney Fleece in the closing yards to take the $300,000 Snow Chief, capping another memorable California Gold Rush Day for jockey Rafael Bejarano at Betfair Hollywood Park.

About 24 hours after he had been sworn in as a United States citizen, Bejarano, 29, won four other races Saturday – three of them stakes – and this was the second time he’s had five wins on a Gold Rush card. The Peruvian-born rider also accomplished the feat in 2009.

Through the first three days of the Spring/Summer meet, Bejarano has five stakes wins. The record for a Spring/Summer season is 18, set by Bill Shoemaker during a 77-day meet in 1971.

In the day’s second most lucrative event for horses bred or sired in California, Grade I winner Willa B Awesome gained another nose victory, taking the $288,000 Melair Stakes.

A narrow winner over Reneesgotzip in the Santa Anita Oaks when 13-1 March 31 at Santa Anita, Willa B Awesome prevailed by the same margin Saturday as the 11-10 favorite. The fifth victory in 13 starts for the 3-year-old Awesome Gambler filly out of the Nineeleven mare Cause I’m Tricky came after a race long battle with 2-1 second choice Starry Skies.