Trainer Falcone finding success in California

ARCADIA, Calif. – In his brief career, trainer Robert Falcone Jr. has found a home at Santa Anita.

Falcone trained Mind Your Biscuits, who finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November 2016 and was later promoted to second when a rival was disqualified for a medication violation. A month later, Mind Your Biscuits won the Malibu Stakes to give Falcone his first Grade 1 win. Following the Malibu, Mind Your Biscuits was transferred to trainer Chad Summers.

A year later, Falcone moved his small stable from New York to California, where he has 12 horses this winter. Just like Mind Your Biscuits, Falcone, 24, has made a fast impression.

Going into Friday’s program, Falcone had won with five of his first 10 starters at the winter-spring meeting. Through last Sunday, Falcone was tied for 12th in the trainers’ standings.

“We’ve put them in the right spots,” he said.

Falcone said he is not satisfied. He would like to double the size of the barn and hopes to remain in California.

“I’d like to get more horses,” he said. “I’m trying to build it up.”

On Saturday, Falcone starts Here and There in a $12,500 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. The 5-year-old gelding was third in a $16,000 claimer at six furlongs Feb. 1 in his California debut.

Falcone knows Here and There may not be in his stable for long. So far, he has had two horses claimed from him but has claimed two.

“They may take him,” Falcone said.

Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, Falcone takes a hands-on approach. He exercises a few of his horses each morning to better understand their progress.

“I think it makes a big difference,” he said. “I can see different things than being on the ground.”

Falcone, who had his first career win at Aqueduct in March 2014, has won four claiming races and the Super Bowl Starter Handicap on turf with Aquaphobia at Santa Anita this winter. He rates Aquaphobia as the best in the barn and a prospect for the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf March 24, though races away from Santa Anita are being considered.

“I’d rather stay here,” he said.