Lord Juban king of the Caltech Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Tim Ritvo's decision to duck the 1-5 favorite Orchard Park here Friday in the Gravelines Stakes proved the right choice after he sent out Lord Juban to a one and one quarter length victory over Mystic Salse in Sunday's $75,000 Caltch Handicap.

Lord Juban was one of three members of the Caltech lineup to scratch from the Gravelines along with Worldly Victor and Kiss With Caution. But it was Lord Juban who made the most of the opportunity, rallying off the early pace of Fuzzy Star to wrest control into the stretch before holding safe Mystic Salse's late bid.

Fuzzy Star succumbed grudgingly and held to finish third followed by Worldly Victor, Ricky N Chip, Kiss With Caution and Sir Azzaro.

Lord Juban, who carried highweight of 120 pounds in the Caltech including jockey Cornelio Velasquez, paid $5.60 as the favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds. His final time for nine furlongs over a firm turf course was 1:51.43.

"I'm glad we ducked Mott's horse(Orchard Park)," said Ritvo. "He beat us the last time and I thought we needed to get more experience before maybe meeting him again somewhere down the line. He got a great trip, the race set up nicely, and I think this is a horse who will run all day. I'm not sure what we'll do next. There's a race at Calder or I could send him to New York where I have a small stable. Right now I just want to give him some time between races to let him develop."

David Romanik, former president and general manager of Gulfstream Park and the owner of Caltech, made the trophy presentation to the winning owners from the Jon Stable and Gordon Racing Corp.