Scenic Blast finished fourth in his USA debut at Hollywood Park on Sunday.  The Australian Horse of the Year lagged in last place in the early stages but stayed on steadily to finish less than two lengths from My Summer Slew in the Listed Robert Kerlan Memorial.  The winner clocked 1.08.40s for 1200m.

Daily Racing Form reported Scenic Blast got organized down the lane under jockey Mike Smith and made up some ground to finish within a length of favoured front-runner Unzip Me who was third home.

Scenic Blast (Scenic) had not started since finishing last of 14 in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint last December.  Trainer John Shirreffs admitted pre-race the Aussie star was a long way short of full fitness leading into his seasonal bow on Sunday.   The G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs later this year is his long-term goal.