Lumpkins gives locals an interest

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Northern Californians often have little local rooting interest in the Breeders' Cup, but this year fans can root for two local jockeys as well as one local horse who will be on the Breeders' Cup undercard.

Bay Meadows' two leading riders, Russell Baze and Jason Lumpkins, have Breeders' Cup mounts: Lumpkins aboard Private Horde in the Sprint and Baze on Toccet in the Turf. Baze will also ride Lacie Girl for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the six-furlong Very Subtle Handicap.

Not only is it Lumpkins's first Breeders' Cup mount, but it will also be his first trip to Santa Anita. Baze had one other Breeders' Cup mount, finishing 12th aboard Lite Light in the 1990 Juvenile Fillies.

In seven races aboard Private Horde this year, Lumpkins has five victories, including the Grade 2 A.G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga, and two seconds. He was not aboard for the 4-year-old colt's victory in the $75,000 Marfa Stakes at Turfway Park on Sept. 20, because he was serving a suspension and Kentucky does not allow jockeys to ride in designated races, as California does.

"I'm definitely excited. It's my first Breeders' Cup," said Lumpkins, who will head to Los Angeles on Friday and not ride that night's card at Bay Meadows.

Lumpkins recalled that when he was riding at Turfway early this year, trainer Joe Cain "gave me a shot, and this is one of the horses he gave me. He'd just come off a layoff, and we got lucky and won."

Private Horde has four stakes wins and two stakes seconds at five tracks, all in the Midwest and East.

"[Daily Racing Form] has got him on the early line at 20-1 because there are so many local horses and horses that have run in more graded races," Lumpkins said. "He won the Vanderbilt in the slop, but he's run good races on fast tracks, and he doesn't need a wet track. The fact they have him 20-1 doesn't bother me."

While Lumpkins is well acquainted with his mount, Baze will see Toccet for the first time when he reaches the paddock.

The owner, Daniel Borislow, "called my agent and asked if I'd go ride," Baze said. "I said yes because I was going down to ride Lacie Girl because we don't have a stakes here that day."

Toccet will be making his turf debut.

"They sent some tapes of his past races, and I talked to the owner," Baze said.

"They said he's bred to like the turf and that their exercise rider says he's as good on turf as on the main track. I'll talk to them more, but, from watching the tapes, it doesn't look like he has any quirks."

Runaway Mother may improve

The most interesting race on Wednesday's card is a six-furlong maiden race for fillies and mares. Five of the six runners are 3-year-olds, including Runaway Mother, a $200,000 yearling purchase by trainer Jeff Bonde.

Runaway Mother has had only two starts, both this summer, at Pleasanton and Santa Rosa.

"She's had every bump in the road," Bonde said, "nothing major, but it's been aggravating."

She finished last in her July 5 debut at Pleasanton when she broke poorly and raced greenly. She showed a bit more speed racing wide at Santa Rosa, but she faded in the stretch.

Bonde has given her three months off and will race her without blinkers for the first time Wednesday.

"She always wants to do too much, so I'm taking the blinkers off trying to relax her," Bonde said.

While Bonde admits Runaway Mother has been a disappointment, he is hopeful her improved works signal a turnaround.

She could be the one to beat, although Holy Vision R.N., who was favored and finished in front of her when they both debuted at Pleasanton, and first-timer Aisle Light, who has been working well, will likely receive more tote support.