For the Week of March 1-8, 1998
SANTA ANITA
On Big Cap Day, there was more to Santa Anita's racing card than the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). The first stakes race of the day was the $150,000 Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT) at one mile on the turf. Neil Drysdale continued his dominance by sending out Hawksley Hill (IRE), a gelding that had run in England until October of last year, when he finished second to Lucky Coin in the Kelso Handicap (gr. IIT) in his only start in this country. After that race, he was transferred to Drysdale's barn in California. Hawksley Hill ran down a speedy A Magicman (FR), who led by open lengths during the first part of the Arcadia. Approaching the turn, Via Lombardia made a move that also took him past A Magicman to finish second behind Hawksley Hill. A Magicman took a photo for show over Rainbow Blues. Hawksley Hill, owned by Dave Heerensberger, won by 1-1/2 lengths in time 1:34.84 under Pat Day, who was in town to ride Gentlemen in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Later in the day, the 60th running $150,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) pitted 10 sprinters together going seven furlongs. Funontherun, Partner's Hero, and Young At Heart competed for the lead, with Anet five lengths back. Elmhurst raced 11 lengths behind the leaders. Gold Land moved wide on the turn to get the lead at the head of the stretch, but Reality Road came rushing late to win by two lengths over Gold Land in time 1:21.62. A photo for the show revealed Son of a Pistol got the third place over Flick, with Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Elmhurst fifth. Reality Road is owned by Peter and Dorothy Pellegrino and trained by Craig Dollase.
The much-anticipated Santa Anita Handicap, still one of only a few million-dollar races and the first this year, became a surprising event with several twists leading up to it. What was expected to be a showdown between Silver Charm and Gentlemen fell apart on Friday morning when a bruised foot caused Bob Baffert to withdraw Silver Charm. It was not serious, but enough so that Silver Charm was only 90%, and with other races down the road, Baffert and owner Bob Lewis decided to scratch their champion colt.
Gentlemen, who has a number of allergies and has to be bedded on newspaper rather than straw or shavings, came down with a rash about a week before the race, but the worst of it was over by Saturday. However, Gentlemen, who became the 1-9 favorite upon Silver Charm's defection, showed up in the paddock with the rash very visible. With only three horses opposing him, he shared the early lead with Malek (Chi), his stablemate. On the turn, Bagshot came up on his outside, with Gentlemen between him and Malek. Pat Day began to work on Gentlemen, and he quickly fell behind both Bagshot and Malek, who dueled the length of the stretch. Bagshot finally gave way, and Malek won by a half-length in time 2:02.56 under Alex Solis. Richard Mandella, who trains both Malek and Gentlemen, watched as Gentlemen faded to the point where outsider Don't Blame Rio nipped him at the wire for third. Malek is owned by Stud Panter. He has now two wins and a second in three races since coming to the United States in December. Gentlemen was scoped after the race, and it was found that he bled profusely. His future is uncertain.
The race before the Big Cap was an optional claiming race in which Mud Route, second to Silver Charm in his last two races (the San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) and the Strub Stakes (gr. II)) won easily against $60,000 claiming horses. Mud Route covered the mile in time 1:35.41 to win by seven lengths. Trainer Ron McAnally responded to questions of why Mud Route was in this race and not the Big Cap by saying that he had no way of knowing that Silver Charm would scratch. However, even fourth place in the Big Cap paid more than the victory in the $60,000 optional claiming race. Instead of earnings, the trainer went for a win, giving Janis Whitham's hard-luck colt his first victory since January of 1997.
On Sunday, March 8, older fillies and mares ran 1 1/8 miles in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational (gr. I) to close out Santa Anita's seven stakes in seven racing days. Northern California-based trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sent three fillies down to challenge Exotic Wood-Fleet Lady, Tuxedo Junction, and Traces of Gold. None of them could beat Exotic Wood, but then Exotic Wood could not beat Toda Una Dama (ARG), either. Receiving nine pounds from the formidable mare while carrying only 114, Toda Una Dama (ARG) collared Exotic Wood in deep stretch to win by a length in time 1:48.87. Ridden by Goncalino Almeida, Toda Una Dama (ARG) is owned by Janis Whitham and trained by Ron McAnally.
Santa Anita ran seven stakes races over the last two weeks, starting with the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap (gr. IIT) on February 28. The turf race for older females added to trainer Neil Drysdale's hot streak, as Dance Parade won by a neck over Shake the Yoke in her first race in this country. The winner of the English 1000 Guineas last year won from a stalking position under Kent Desormeaux in time 1:36 4/5. Shake the Yoke was a head in front of Donna Viola. H.R.H. Prince Fahd Salman owns Dance Parade.
The $200,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. II), one of the first major West Coast preps for the Kentucky Derby, left trainer Wally Dollase relieved and trainers Bob Baffert and Wayne Lukas frustrated. Orville N Wilbur's, who has generated buzz about his potential, finished fourth in last month's San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), but in the San Rafael on March 1 he finally put it all together. Leading from the beginning with Lukas' Late Edition running a length behind him, Orville N Wilbur's was comfortably within himself throughout the race. Baffert's Souvenir Copy ran last until he tried to challenge the leader on the turn. Orville N Wilbur's sprinted away to win by five lengths in time 1:35.96. Souvenir Copy was second with Futuristic third. Late Edition faded to fourth. Orville N Wilbur's showed his greenness by getting bumped at the start and later weaving in the stretch. Desormeaux kept him from bouncing off the rail with repeated left-handed whipping. Nevertheless, Prince Ahmed Salman's Thoroughbred Corporation, which purchased 80% of Orville N Wilbur's in January, was pleased with the effort.
Another lightly raced 3-year-old was the focus of attention on March 4 in the $100,000 Baldwin Stakes (gr. IIIT) at six and a half furlongs. Tenbyssimo, like Dance Parade, is trained by Neil Drysdale, and like Dance Parade, was making his first start in this country after the rains had kept him behind in his training. One of the top colts in Europe last year, Team Valor's Tenbyssimo is carrying his owners' hopes for a trip to the Kentucky Derby. Last year, Team Valor campaigned Captain Bodgit, the Derby favorite who finished second to Silver Charm. Blocked on the turn, Tenbyssimo closed in the stretch to just get third behind Wrekin Pilot (GB), who made a dramatic run to overtake Commitisize, another of Bob Baffert's 3-year-olds. Commitisize led the whole race before giving way to Wrekin Pilot (GB) in the stretch. Wrekin Pilot (GB) won by 1-1/2 lengths in time 1:13.32 under Eddie Delahoussaye. The colt is trained by James Cassidy for Southern Nevada Racing Stables.
BAY MEADOWS
On February 28, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Russell Baze teamed up to take the $48,000 Redwood City Stakes for 3-year-olds. Highland Gold, making only his third start, made his move on the turn and widened his lead down the stretch to score by 2-1/2 lengths in time 1:09 3/5. Son's Corona was second and Full Moon Madness third. Baze had won the inaugural Redwood City last year. The fillies got their chance the next day in the $48,000 Mountain View Stakes going a mile. Baze again found the winner's circle, this time on Nonies Dancer Ali after Red Velvet, who had led most of the way, faded to third. Reign on Rainier was second. Nonies Dancer Ali won by eight lengths in time 1:36 4/5. The Mountain View was one of five victories for Baze on March 1.
The following weekend, all eyes were again on Baze and Hollendorfer. Bay Meadows presented the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), one of the West Coast's major 3-year-old prep races for the Triple Crown. Hollendorfer sent out a powerhouse three-horse entry of Clover Hunter, winner of the $200,000 Golden Gate Derby on January 18, Post a Note, winner of the $100,000 Golden State Mile on February 16, and Event of the Year, a Seattle Slew colt which had won only a maiden and an allowance race. Event of the Year, a homebred for John and Betty Mabee's Golden Eagle Farm, had won those two races in such an impressive fashion that Baze took off Clover Hunter, on whom he had a two-race winning streak going, and chose Event of the Year. The Mabees' other horse, Post a Note, put up a good fight, leading through the backstretch. When challenged by Skeaping, he had no trouble keeping that horse at bay. Event of the Year moved with Skeaping, however, and easily passed Post a Note, who looked to be laboring. Event of the Year hardly broke a sweat in winning by 3-1/2 lengths in time 1:40 1/5 over the fast track. Post a Note held on for second, a length and a half in front of Clover Hunter. Skeaping was fourth and Availability, the winner of the $100,000 Turf Paradise Derby was fifth and last. Event of the Year's time was the second fastest in the 17-year history of the El Camino Real Derby.
GULFSTREAM
On February 28, Skip Away repeated his win in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) with a similar victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. I), a race he lost last year to Mt. Sassafras. Facing much the same field as he did in the Donn, Skip Away carried 127 pounds while conceding 15 to runner-up Unruled, who was second in the Donn. The last horse to carry 127 pounds in the Gulfstream Park Handicap was Forego in 1974. Skip Away gave between 13 and 16 pounds to all his rivals. Behrens, a two-time grade I winner who has yet to return to last summer's form, finished third, his best finish since winning the Pegasus last September. Frisk Me Now skipped the Gulfstream Park Handicap in favor of an allowance race earlier on the card, which he won. Skip Away won by 2-1/2 lengths in time 2:03 1/5 under constant urging by jockey Jerry Bailey.
The $200,000 Rampart Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up was a much-anticipated event matching top fillies Glitter Woman and Escena. Glitter Woman, the highweight at 121 pounds, has been making a comeback at Gulfstream after missing much of 1997. She won an allowance race in January, then was second in the Shirley Jones Handicap (gr. II) on February 4. She did not find the winners' circle on March 1 either, finishing third behind winner Dance for Thee and Escena, who carried 119 pounds. Dance for Thee won an overnight stakes last month to end a three-race losing streak, then lost again last outing. Trained by Leo Azpurua Jr. for owner John Franks, Dance for Thee won under Joe Bravo in time 1:44 3/5 while carrying 113 pounds. Radiant Megan, who beat Escena in last month's Sabin Handicap (gr. III), finished last of six.
Earlier in the day, Shug McGaughey-trained Accelerator made his first start since finishing second to Kentucky Derby favorite Captain Bodgit in last year's Wood Memorial (gr. II). The 4-year-old colt has been recuperating from a condylar fracture, and made a promising return by finishing second in a $32,000 allowance race at Gulfstream Park. The winner, Thunder Reef, won the seven-furlong race in time 1:24 2/5. Great TKO was third.
Midweek, Gulfstream held the $75,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies. Trainer Phil Gleaves won with Rashas Warning, Mike Smith up, with Quick Lap second and Runaway Dream third. Rashas Warning won in time 1:51 2/5, snapping Quick Lap's stakes-winning streak at two. Rashas Warning has been improving recently, and this is her first win since taking the Hollywood Wildcat Stakes at Calder last November.
On March 7 at Gulfstream, top turf handicap horses competed in the $250,000 Pan American Handicap (gr. IIT). Buck's Boy took off on the lead and never looked back, even while Copy Editor pressed him from a length behind for much of the early mile and a half race. Awad and Flag Down raced 15-20 lengths off the pace in the early part, and never posed a threat. Copy Editor was the only one who tried to run with Buck's Boy, but by the time the leader hit the top of the stretch, Copy Editor started to fall back. Royal Strand made a run, but African Dancer came on fast to close within half a length of Buck's Boy for second place. Royal Strand finished third and Copy Editor fourth. Buck's Boy won under Earlie Fires in time 2:23 2/5 for trainer Noel Hickey and owner Quarter B Farm.
OAKLAWN
The $75,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) is a significant prep race on the road to the Arkansas Derby (gr. II), and this year's edition catapulted a couple of strong candidates out of obscurity into recognition. The one-mile race saw favored Accelerated Time set the pace, but fade as Whataflashyactor took over on the turn. Whataflashyactor, trained by Sam David, Jr., had suffered training setbacks after incurring a lung infection, but looked to have the race sewn up anyway as he headed into the stretch. From way back came Hot Wells, ridden by Calvin Borel, who bore down on Whataflashyactor and finally prevailed by a neck. Slew the Mark was third, with previously undefeated Mesquite Cowboy fourth. Hot Wells, owned by Michael Lasky, had finished fourth in the one-mile Lecomte Handicap at the Fair Grounds on January 31. The steadily improving gelding was claimed by trainer Tom Amoss for $12,500 at Ellis Park last summer, but Amoss says that after the Southwest victory, Hot Wells will be nominated to the Triple Crown. Hot Wells ran the mile in time 1:38 3/5.
The next day, Crystal Mine won the $50,000 Pippin Stakes for older fillies and mares going a mile and a sixteenth. Leading all the way, Crystal Mine finished six lengths in front of Proper Banner in time 1:44.71. Turn to the Queen ran third. Crystal Mine is owned by Bruce N. Hopkins and is trained by C.L. Dickey.
On March 7, the $75,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) offered a chance for 3-year-old fillies to prep for the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) coming up on April 5. Prospector's Song, who won the Martha Washington Stakes last month, led by three until Bucquestor and Sweet and Ready closed the gap on the turn. Roza Robata came from off the pace to score by three-quarters of a length over Sweet and Ready in time 1:45.95 for the mile and a sixteenth. Bucquestor, who was third behind Roza Robata's second in the Marth Washington, was again third in the Honeybee. H. B. Johnson, Jr. trains Roza Robata, who is owned by Fletcher B. Clement in partnership with S. H. Mayes.
In the $40,000 Spring Fever Stakes on March 8, Capote Belle stalked the pace set by Miss Deerhound and Stoney Jody to come on in the stretch and win by a length over Stoney Jody in time 1:05.34 for the five and a half furlongs. Capote Belle, now five years old, has won both starts this season. She is owned by Lawana and Robert Low and trained by Dan Peitz.
FAIR GROUNDS
On March 1, Fair Grounds presented the $75,000 Taylor's Special Handicap for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs. The race marked the return of Victor Cooley, who won the Vosburgh Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park over Tale of the Cat and Kelly Kip last September. After finishing third in the Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) at Churchill Downs in October, Victor Cooley has been off for four months. The highweight at 122 pounds, he finished fourth, but was beaten only a half length. Golden Oriental caught Find the Treasure at the wire to win by a nose in time 1:09 4/5 for owners John Marker, William Reeser, and Kevin Dowd. Trained by Dale Romans, Golden Oriental was in contention with Find the Treasure and third-place finisher Littlebitlively most of the race. Robby Albarado rode the winner.
The previous day, older fillies and mares contested the $125,000 Chou Croute Stakes at a mile. The race produced a rare dead heat for the win, with Leo's Gypsy Dancer and Zakcat both taking the victory from Sugar Coded, who led most of the way but was passed by the winners to finish third, two lengths behind. Jockey Curt Bourque was aboard Zakcat and Gerard Melancon piloted Leo's Gypsy Dancer to the victory in time 1:37 1/5. Trainers Bobby Barnett (Zakcat) and Hal Wiggins (Leo's Gypsy Dancer) had to wait 15 minutes for the stewards to determine that the Chou Croute had resulted in a dead heat.
On March 7, the $125,000 Bayou Breeders' Cup Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles was intended for the turf but rains forced it onto a sloppy track. Highweight B. A. Valentine at 118 pounds pressed Caiseal Ros for the lead until the far turn when she got it. Cozy Blues moved up, but during that tepid challenge, Cuando passed them both to win by a length and a half in time 1:53.60. Water Street passed B. A. Valentine in the stretch to be second over that rival by another 1-1/2 lengths. Willie Martinez rode Cuando for trainer David Carroll and owner Cristi Frederic's Tri County Farm.
The big race that everyone at the Fair Grounds has been waiting for was the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. III) on March 8. The enlarged purse attracted such good older horses as Deputy Commander and Refinado Tom from California and Phantom on Tour from Oaklawn Park. Moonlight Dancer and Connecting Terms had the early lead, with Phantom on Tour stalking closely behind. Phantom on Tour took over the lead at the head of the stretch and gradually widened his advantage to score a 11/2-length victory over late-closing Precocity. Lord Cromby (IRE) also closed late to finish third, 2-1/2 lengths behind Precocity. The other California invaders never showed much speed, and spent the race at the back of the pack. Larry Melancon rode Phantom on Tour, trained by Lynn Whiting for W. Cal Partee to a track record-setting time of 1:48.13. The only time Phantom on Tour has ever been worse than second in 13 career starts was a sixth-place finish in last year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
LAUREL
The $50,000 Herat Stakes for 3-year-olds offered a chance for Maryland-based horses to enter the Triple Crown trail. Just Call Me Carl, a promising colt from Dale Capuano's barn, was looking to step up into stakes company. He sat off a speed duel between Mr. Business and Running Copelan, and moved wide around them on the turn. At the head of the stretch, there were four horses across the track when the winner, Spartan Cat came on from the far outside. Spartan Cat won by two lengths over Mr. Business, who was only a nose in front of Just Call Me Carl. The winner is trained by Richard Dutrow for Marathon Farms.
AQUEDUCT
On February 28, Spicy Award with Aaron Gryder up won the $60,000 Best Turn Stakes for 3-year-olds going six furlongs. The Robert Barbara trainee widened his lead in the stretch to four lengths to win in time 1:10.57 over Port Eighty. Dr. J was third, another neck back. Spicy Award is owned by Sabine Stable.
The following weekend, on March 7, owner-trainer Victor Simone sent out Brushing Up to score an upset in the $75,000 Grey Lag Handicap (gr. III) for 3-year-olds and up. Favored More to Tell rallied late to miss by a neck, but finished 7-1/2 lengths in front of third-place Paragallo's Hope. Brushing Up won in time 1:56.80 for the mile and three sixteenths.
TURFWAY PARK
On Saturday, March 7, women took the first two places in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park. Julie Krone rode Daniel My Brother to a come-from-behind win over Western City, with Donna Barton up. Western City and Sorceror fought for the lead until Daniel My Brother passed them on the outside to go on and win by three lengths in time 1:42.69. Daniel My Brother is trained by Gary Sciacca and owned by Star Stables. Favored Yukon Pete, previously three-for-three and the focus of attention because of his controversial owner Jim McIngvale, finished third.
MISCELLANEOUS
Jim McIngvale's promising 3-year-old St. Michael died from the effects of surgery. McIngvale, who removed his horses from Nick Zito at Gulfstream Park and placed them with Steve Moyer in Kentucky, gave his sister-in-law, Laura Wohlers, the position of manager over his stable. Moyer resigned after two weeks with the new arrangement, and McIngvale hired Leonard Atkinson on March 5. Atkinson had previously been the nightwatchman. McIngvale is currently interviewing for a second trainer, because he believes that if a trainer has more than 20 horses, he will lose touch with them. While his methods are unconventional and have started a wildfire of backstretch talk about him, McIngvale insists that he cares about the horses first and will run his stable like a business.