SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 19, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
In almost every notebook that I write, my first paragraph usually pertains to
an upcoming event at the track, something of interest or, usually, the first
noteworthy stakes contest from the previous week. That will not be the case for
this notebook.
It is my job to report on the happenings at a particular track, and share my
opinions and observations with you. At times, I might be judgmental of a horse’s
performance. Also, when warranted, I can be critical of a jockey’s indecisive
ride, and, on occasion, lambaste track management for a policy that I perceive
might be detrimental to race fans or Thoroughbred racing in general. No matter
what I say, it is usually subjective, as personal opinions/viewpoints are
more often than not, neither right nor wrong.
However, an incident which allegedly occurred at Santa Anita last October was
brought to my attention last week and it incensed me to no end. I feel what took
place was wrong and I simply could not put my personal feelings aside concerning
this matter.
It seems that jockey Garrett Gomez and owner John Rohloff decided to play a
joke on rider Kerwin John, who is African-American. Rohloff is supposed to have
given a photograph of a Ku Klux Klansman to Gomez, who in turn gave the photo to
a jockey’s room valet, who then placed the photo in John’s locker at the track.
John, who later admitted that he thought the incident was intended as a
practical joke, also took offense at what had happened. And, rightfully so.
In a twist of irony, the Santa Anita stewards decided to impose fines against
Roloff and Gomez of $1,000 each last Thursday, just days before the celebration
of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. While I enjoy a good laugh just as
much as the next guy, I believe there is a line you simply do not cross. In my
estimation, both Gomez and Rohloff went way beyond that line, and the jockey’s
room valet as well, whose name was not released. Their joke was obviously racial
in nature, and there is simply no room for this type of behavior in the
workplace, or in society for that matter, and it must not be tolerated.
When stupid, childlike behavior like this is made public, it is further
testament that we still have a long way go in our society. Thoroughbred racing
continues to suffer from image problems, and incidents like these only add fuel
to that fire, casting a negative light on a sport already in trouble.
While one could argue that this was purely a harmless practical joke, it is only
harmless if the intended party finds it amusing.
BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark), setting a leisurely early pace on the lead under
jockey Alex Solis, was able to wire the field in the San Rafael S. (G2) on
Saturday, thus spoiling the return of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Stevie
Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even) in the process. The winner was able to rate kindly
while dictating the pace, and had secured a daylight lead upon entering the
stretch, as he anticipated a late rally from the favored Stevie Wonderboy. Gomez
had placed the likely juvenile champion in a stiff drive leaving the far turn,
but his closing kick fell short as he failed to catch the leader, who had plenty
of gas left in the tank.
Wanna Runner (El Corredor) attended the pace carved out by Brother Derek down
the backstretch, but lacked the necessary response when called upon in the
stretch and settled for third. Woody Be Quick (Woodman) flashed early speed and
began to drop back steadily approaching the far turn.
A rematch between Brother Derek and Stevie Wonderboy is slated for the Santa
Catalina S. (G2) on March 4, also at Santa Anita where Brother Derek is unbeaten
in two starts.
UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Unbridled’s Song), who hadn’t won since May 21 and still
qualified for an advanced allowance contest, held on in the stretch to emerge
victorious in a rather weak renewal of the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2),
which was also on the Saturday card. Rating in sixth down the backstretch,
Unbridled Energy began to improve his position leaving the far turn. He drove to
the lead in the stretch, the recipient of an energetic ride from Gomez, and
subsequently fended off a determined rally from Canteen (Fusaichi Pegasus) by
three parts of a length.
Canteen was an unlucky second and actually might have been best. He was
caught behind runners down the backstretch and around the far turn while full of
run. He attempted to come through a narrow opening along the rail, but was
forced to check as he attempted to rally. When finally securing clear sailing
outside of runners in the middle of track under Pat Valenzuela, he leveled off
nicely, reducing his deficit with every stride as the wire appeared too quickly.
Greeley’s Galaxy (Mr. Greeley) was coupled in the wagering with Osidy (Storm
Cat), and was a forward factor from the outset. He was incapable of matching
strides with the top two finishers in the stretch and finished third.
Superb racing continued on Sunday at Santa Anita with the running of the El
Encino S. (G2), a race for four-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. PROPOSED
(Benchmark), who has been a gem of consistency in 2005 for trainer John
Shirreffs, recorded her initial stakes victory when she was a popular 2
1/2-length winner under Valenzuela. Bred in California by her owners, Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Wygod, Proposed tracked the early pace prior to gaining the lead in
midstretch. Once hitting the front, she added to her advantage and remained
clear under urging, as the Florida-shipper Play Ballado (Saint Ballado) made a
belated run to finish second. Somethinaboutlaura (Dance Floor) carved out a
modest pace on the front end, and continued on willingly once displaced on the
lead in the stretch to get the show. Three Degrees (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]), the
7-2 third choice in the wagering, barely lifted a hoof in her dirt debut and
finished last.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas stood in the winner’s circle on Monday after the
running of the Santa Ynez S. (G2). However, in all likelihood, it probably
wasn’t with the horse he expected. Lukas saddled the heavily favored entry of
Folklore (Tiznow), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) heroine, and DANCE
DAILY (Five Star Day), who boasted merely a preliminary allowance victory on her
resume. Yet, it was the latter who would eke out a nose victory, as the less
accomplished Dance Daily outgamed Talullah Lula (Old Trieste).
Folklore, who had not raced since her Breeders’ Cup victory at Belmont Park
last October, set a leisurely pace on the lead. With her stablemate in close
pursuit, the pair were heads apart in midstretch, with Talullah Lula a rallying
fourth. Folklore, demonstrating a bit of rustiness off the layoff, began to give
ground grudgingly as Dance Daily began to slowly edge away from her entrymate.
Talullah Lula drew alongside the eventual winner in deep stretch, but simply
could not get by as Dance Daily won by the narrowest of margins. Folklore held
for third, with Trick’s Pic (Favorite Trick), the third choice in betting,
finishing last after bobbling a bit at the start.
Lukas’ comments after the race left one with the impression that Folklore’s
comeback effort was a merely a tune-up as she prepares for bigger and better
things down the road. While noncommittal on where his two graded winners would
run next, Lukas did mention the Las Virgenes S. (G1) in February as the next
target for at least one of them.
Valenzuela has opened up a five-win advantage over Gomez in the jockey
standings, with Victor Espinoza and Solis tied for third-place on the list. Bob
Baffert continues to lead all trainers, with Bobby Frankel in second and Doug
O’Neill completing the top three.
The main track was biased toward runners from off the pace on Wednesday. The
course appeared to play a bit more honest on Thursday. No biases were present
the remainder of the week. Early speed was beneficial in turf sprints to begin
the week on Wednesday and Thursday. Route contests were honest on those days,
with the course playing quite fairly thereafter. The outside paths appeared to
be best on Wednesday and Thursday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (1/11)
4TH – VICTORY SIGN (Thunder Gulch) showed dramatic form reversal in a turf
route. Rallied nicely off a pedestrian pace to get the place against a perfect
stalking trip winner. ‘Shifted in’ to hamper his rider in the stretch drive,
demonstrating his lack of experience. His dam won a grass stakes and she was not
successful until her sophomore year.
7TH – MARGARITALOSFLORES (Artax) finished a troubled fourth stepping up off a
layoff and was moved up to third. Broke a tad slowly early and then was forced
to steady in the stretch while clipping a rival’s heels when caught in heavy
traffic in the stretch. Continued on well once clear to just miss the victory in
a four-horse photo finish.
Thursday (1/12)
4TH – BOLD FLYER (Bold Badgett) ran a decent third stretching out off a
claim. Was dueled into defeat along a deep rail and held well once displaced on
the front end. Might be better suited to one turn as he is bred on both sides of
his pedigree for a dirt sprint.
7TH – KEWEN (Formal Gold) was a sharp second off a two-month break for
trainer Vladimir Cerin. Bumped with a rival and then lacked clear sailing
attempting to rally. Leveled off nicely when finally set down in the stretch. He
loves the Santa Anita lawn and racing ‘down the hill.’
Friday (1/13)
2ND – SLEW OF THE NIGHT (Slewdledo) came back a sharp second off the Jack
Carava re-claim. Held grimly for the place after setting a quick and pressured
pace. He won the pace battle, but lost the war to a perfect stalking trip
winner.
3RD – TIOGA JUNCTION (Bertrando) put forth a much improved effort making
initial start for trainer Joshua Litt. Finished with interest to be clearly
second best chasing home an odds-on winning favorite. Has room for further
progress off this race.
Saturday (1/14)
4TH – FLY TO THE WIRE (Birdonthewire) was an impressive daylight win dropping
off the Bob Hess Jr. claim. Gained the lead in midstretch and ran clear. Excels
over this course and responds well to Kent Desormeaux. Might be able to handle a
slight class hike off this effort.
6TH – Stevie Wonderboy ‘prepped’ here making his first start as a
three-year-old. Allowed to settle into stride and was unhurried early while
racing off modest fractions. As the race quickened was unable to overhaul a
loose front-running winner, who benefited from an uncontested and soft early
pace. Has a pedigree to improve with added distance.
8TH – Canteen was an unlucky second and probably should have won, but lacked
clear sailing at strategic points in the race. Accelerated nicely in the stretch
when maneuvered outside of rivals when finally clear in a sharp effort.
Sunday (1/15)
1ST – RIVER ISLAND (Cee’s Tizzy) ran a decent fourth switching back to the
lawn. Stalked a fast early pace and failed to improve his position when called
upon in the stretch. Appears as if he is better suited to dirt.
3RD – ZAP (A.P. Indy) was clearly a tad short in his Southern California debut
effort. Finished with interest late chasing home an impressive daylight winner,
but ultimately was no match for that rival while second best. Might be returned
to grass as his dam was a graded winner over that surface.
Monday (1/16)
8TH – Folklore undoubtedly needed her most recent effort off the shelf. Tired
slowly in deep stretch under pressure after dictating an ordinary pace on the
front end. Returned to be unsaddled ‘blowing hard,’ a sign she needed the race
and should have obviously derived beneficial conditioning from this effort.