Hammersly's preview: Bejarano, Hollendorfer lead the way
It’s taken a while for Rafael Bejarano to re-establish himself at the top of the riding heap here after being sidelined a few months after suffering injuries in a spill at Santa Anita. However, the guy who perennially has been atop the jockey pecking order surely is all the way back and leading the way again.
A hat trick Wednesday pushed his total to 29 through Aug. 28. That total has him just ahead of Kent Desormeaux (who also had a hat trick Thursday to push him to 28 wins) and three clear of Elvis Trujillo (26). Then come Mike Smith (25), Tyler Baze (19), and Joe Talamo (17).
On the training front, through Thursday, Jerry Hollendorfer continued to set the pace with 16 wins. However, Peter Miller (14), John Sadler (12), and Doug O’Neill (12) continue to dog him and have more bullets to fire. Regardless, Hollendorfer has the one trophy all the trainers want to take from this meet: the Pacific Classic, won so wonderfully by his Shared Belief.
Flattered by the company you keep
There are more than a few handicappers/observers of the Southern California racing scene who believe Om may well be the best juvenile male and Luminance the top juvenile filly. Neither will get a chance to reinforce those opinions during this final week, as setbacks will keep them out of the Del Mar Futurity and Del Mar Debutante, respectively.
But those they beat have a chance to flatter them as a few return on Saturday’s Debutante card. And if the input from those handicappers is correct, then doesn’t it follow those they vanquished can be prominent when returning to action? Darn tootin’ it does.
Conquest Archangel (race 6) stalked the pace and ran on well to be second to Luminance here July 20. That run was flattered, too, as Majestic Presence, another 2 3/4 lengths back in third, came right back to win. Conquest Archangel is by Blame, best known for being the only horse to vanquish Zenyatta (doing so in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic) and cost $350,000, so there surely are some expectations here.
One Lucky Dane (race 10) is a son of the 2-year-old and 3-year-old champion Lookin at Lucky, who is off to a fine start at stud. In One Lucky Dane’s debut, a sprint here Aug. 9, he was a bit slow into stride, but he kept to his task to pass a few rivals and finish third. Sure, he was no match for the big winner Om (beaten 8 1/4 lengths), but that still was an encouraging run, and here, he gets what he probably wants – a route of ground. He’s on the also-eligible list, however, and must scratch in, and if he does get in, he’ll have to overcome a far outside draw.
Still, if these two really did chase the best of their division in their last outings, they figure to be awfully tough on this card, as they don’t have to deal with those foes again.
‘Big’ indeed
Big Cazanova was good enough as a maiden to be a multiple Grade 1-placed runner in South America. When he came to the U.S. to trainer Peter Miller, it took a bit of time for him to acclimate and provide that type of form. Well, acclimate he has. The son of Giant’s Causeway set a track record for a mile here July 26 when blasting maidens. On Thursday, going 1 1/8 miles against some solid optional claimers, he blasted them again and put his name in the program again, setting a new mark of 1:48.85, blitzing the old record of 1:50.03. Off this, it seems a stakes engagement would be on the horizon.
Spot play
Race 3: BIG BANE THEORY (#5, 5-2) hasn’t run in nine months and never has run on synthetic, but the 5-year-old son of Artie Schiller showed ample talent last year, including finishing a sharp fourth, beaten just two lengths, in the Grade 2 Citation at Betfair at Hollywood Park last Nov. 29. The three who beat him are proven Grade 1 caliber (Silentio, Summer Front, and Winning Prize). He’s been working wonderfully for his return – on this main track, no less, which makes you optimistic he’ll handle this footing well in the afternoon.
Horse to watch
POPALICIOUS
Trainer: Steve Miyadi
Last race: Aug. 28, 1st
Finish: 2nd by a head
Things got off to a rocky start as she steadied at the start and lost position, falling back to last. She was making a smart run coming into the lane when she had to check yet again. Undeterred, she got going once more, finished smartly, and just missed. She was claimed by Eddie Truman who may be buying at the right time.