Ringaskiddy takes San Juan Capistrano

ARCADIA, Calif. - In the early weeks of the Santa Anita meeting in January, Ringaskiddy was eligible to be claimed for $80,000. On Sunday, he won the meeting's richest turf race, the $400,000 .

The upset marked the richest win for owners Leonard Scofield and Juan Garcia, who also trains.

Garcia credited a ground-saving and patient ride from jockey Eddie Delahoussaye for the victory.

For much of the marathon distance of about 1 3-4 miles on turf, Ringaskiddy ($22.40) was at the back of the eight-horse field, trailing frontrunners Speedy Pick and Chelsea Barracks by as much as 16 lengths.

At the end of the backstretch, Delahoussaye had Ringaskiddy in seventh-place, but had moved closer to the leaders. Entering the stretch, Ringaskiddy and Staging Post raced on the inside, while Cagney, the 7-5 favorite, and Keemoon rallied wide.

Staging Post led briefly in midstretch, but Ringaskiddy, racing on the rail, drew clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1-2 lengths. The winning time was 2:44.49.

"He was ridden perfectly," Garcia said. "There was a lot of speed. He saved ground when everyone went wide. I didn't worry about the mile and three-quarters, but if you go before the quarter-pole he'll stop."

Staging Post, who was making his stakes debut, held second, followed by Continental Red, Cagney, Chelsea Barracks, Keemoon, Speedy Pick and Dispersed Reward.

The 6-year-old Ringaskiddy has earned $426,876 since being claimed by Garcia and Scofeld for $50,000 in January 2001. Overall, the California-bred gelding has won 6 of 45 starts and $592,471.

*Malabar Gold won Sunday's $138,125 San Simeon Handicap in the final stride, setting a stakes record of 1:11.73 for about 6 1-2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Ridden by Chris McCarron, Malabar Gold ($9.20) stalked pacesetter Astonished through quick fractions of 21.58 and 42.96 seconds. Second on the hillside, Malabar Gold moved closer to Astonished crossing the dirt course. He needed the entire stretch to catch the 11-1 Astonished, winning by a head.

Nuclear Debate finished third. Swept Overboard, the even-money favorite, finished fifth in the field of nine. He never threatened the leaders.

The Grade 3 San Simeon was the first stakes win for Malabar Gold. Owned by B. Wayne Hughes and trained by Ron Ellis, the 5-year-old Malabar Gold has won 6 of 12 starts and $270,842. Five of his wins have come on the hillside turf course.