Maltese Falcon finds first victory in La Jolla Handicap
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DEL MAR, Calif. - For a maiden, Maltese Falcon gave a polished performance to win Sunday’s Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds on turf at Del Mar.
Winless in six starts in Britain and California since October, Maltese Falcon closed from fourth with a rally along the rail to win the $151,500 La Jolla by a length over the British import Panic Alarm, a 6-1 chance who closed well.
Maltese Falcon was ridden by Juan Hernandez, the leading rider in Southern California, in his lone mount of the day. Hernandez on Sunday was serving the second of a three-day suspension for a riding infraction committed in late July. Graded stakes are exempt from routine suspensions, allowing Hernandez to ride the La Jolla.
Hernandez had Maltese Falcon on the inside throughout the race at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Hernandez said he had to restrain Maltese Falcon approaching the turn when the gelding wanted to do more.
“He wanted to run at the three-eighths,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t have space.”
Maltese Falcon continued on the rail and had a clear path in the final furlong to reach the front with approximately a sixteenth of a mile remaining.
“At the eighth pole, the hole opened up for him,” Hernandez said. “He responded for me.”
Sent off favored, Maltese Falcon ($8.40) was timed in 1:44.20 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84, which equals the best of his career.
Panic Alarm, closed from seventh in a field of eight under jockey Umberto Rispoli to be closest to the front at the finish. Panic Alarm finished a nose in front of 7-1 Agency.
The La Jolla is designed as a prep for the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3 and is likely to draw Maltese Falcon and Panic Alarm.
“We’ll see how he comes out of it,” said Kosta Hronis, who owns Panic Alarm. “Umberto loves him.”
Agency set the pace in the La Jolla, going the opening quarter-mile in 23.60 seconds and a half-mile in 48.82. Justin’s Legacy, second early, faded to finish fourth, followed by Kid Azteca, Henry Q, Smart Mo and Zalamo.
Maltese Falcon races for Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and trainer Leonard Powell, and has earned $135,948.
“Leonard Powell told me he would have a good kick at the end,” Hernandez said.
An Irish-bred colt by Caravaggio, Maltese Falcon finished third twice and fourth twice in four maiden races at Santa Anita from late December to late May before he finished a game second in his stakes debut in the Cinema Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-olds there on June 11.
“I know he just broke his maiden, but what a way to do it,” Hernandez said. “This will be a good horse.”
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