Racing at Del Mar : Nikishka Wins Osunitas Handicap

DEL MAR —  Nikishka scored her first stakes victory, beating favored Daring Doone by one length in the $84,350 Osunitas Handicap Saturday at Del Mar.

Nikishka, winning for the fourth time in seven starts, charged between horses at the top of the stretch to take command and then held off Daring Doone’s charge from fourth place. The time for the 1 1/16 miles on the turf was 1:42 4/5.

Nikishka, a 4-year-old daughter of Nijinsky II ridden by Chris McCarron, was the second betting choice of the crowd of 18,932 and paid $10.20, $4.60 and $4.20.

Daring Doone paid $3.40 and $3; Gold Firecracker returned $6.40.