Proudinsky gives Frankel milestone victory

ARCADIA, Calif. - Proudinsky ended a six-race losing streak in Sunday's $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap, giving trainer Bobby Frankel a record 900th career win at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

Sent off favored, Proudinsky ($4.60) closed from fourth in the final quarter-mile to win the Grade 2 San Gabriel Handicap by three-quarters of a length over 9-1 Ferneley. Medici Code finished third in the field of seven.

Proudinsky ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.39. Proudinsky was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, a replacement for jockey Garrett Gomez, who was injured in a spill on Saturday.

The San Gabriel was Proudinsky's first win since the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap at Fair Grounds in March. Since then, Proudinsky's best finish was a second by a neck to Big Brown in the Monmouth Stakes on Sept. 13.

"He's a nice, honest horse - not a top-class horse, but a nice Group 2 horse," Frankel said. "He had a really good trip and got through when he needed to. He did his job."

Frankel is the all-time leader in wins at Santa Anita's winter-spring meeting, ahead of the late Charlie Whittingham, who won 869 races.

Proudinsky is leased by Johanna Louise Glen-Teven of Manhattan Beach, Calif. She took over ownership in late December after previous owner Gary Tanaka was required to relinquish his California Horse Racing Board owner's license following a recent conviction for securities fraud.

Blue Norther: First time's the charm for Navigator

Navigator ($9) won her stakes debut, and first start around two turns, in Sunday's $78,600 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Navigator led throughout a mile on turf, winning by a length over April Pride. Navigator was timed in 1:36.38. Acting Lady was third in the field of nine. Internallyflawless, the 4-5 favorite, was never in contention and finished last.

Navigator has won 2 of 3 starts and $77,200 for owners Mace and Samantha Siegel and trainer Ron Ellis.