The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)DEBUTANTE VICTRESS SHARP CAT "DOESN'T MISS AN OAT" AFTER WIN
The Thoroughbred Corp.'s Sharp Cat, winner of Sunday's Grade II, $250,000 Del Mar Debutante, came out of the race in great shape, Mike Marlow, assistant to trainer D. Wayne Lukas, reported this morning. "She didn't miss an oat," Marlow said, "and she's around kickin' and buckin' this morning.
"She came out of the race just perfect. We're real happy about that."
So what's next? "We're keeping our options open. Our ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup [Juvenile Fillies], but Wayne hasn't decided what the next race will be."
Runner-up Desert Digger was pronounced in fine shape, also, by her trainer, Marcello Polanco. "So far, everything looks good," Polanco said. "She's eating well. We were unlucky drawing the one hole. I'm not saying she would have won, but that's not the best post position. But she never gave up. Lesser fillies would have."
Polanco and owner Morry Cohen have their sights on the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies for the daughter of Mining, but she most likely will run first in the Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.
HENRY MORENO DELIGHTED WITH SCRAPPY TRAINEE PATRICK'S WIN
Once again, patience paid off as trainer Henry Moreno went to the winner's circle Sunday to have his picture taken with his trainee, Patrick, a horse he's always believed had a bright future, even though that future has been clouded by one mishap after another.
"If he ever gets 100 percent, he's a runnin' fool," Moreno said at his barn this morning. "Patrick is a horse with terrific ability. I liked him enough to nominate him to the Triple Crown when he was a 3-year-old [1995]. He's had a terrible time with quarter cracks. He's had at least a half a dozen. In fact, he popped one right after we got down here, but we patched it and it worked fine."
There was no sign of a problem Sunday as Patrick, under a steady and heady ride by Rene Douglas, bounced out of the gate, went to the lead and stayed there. He held off Costly Frosty by a neck for the win. It was his third victory in 10 lifetime starts.
Moreno is undecided about the next start for the gelded son of Risen Star, because he banged his eye in the starting gate and that has to heal before he'll run again. However, Moreno is hopeful that Patrick's next race will be at Del Mar at a mile or a mile and a sixteenth just before the meet ends on Sept. 11.
1995'S FUTURITY WINNER RETURNS TO DEL MAR IN THURSDAY STAKES
Future Quest, who was a front-running victor in last year's Grade II, $250,000 Del Mar Futurity, will make his initial 1996 appearance at the seaside course in Thursday's feature race, the Inverness Drive Stakes. Eight 3-year-olds have been entered, and if all go, the purse will be $70,850, with $42,850 going to the winner.
Expected to be in the gate with Future Quest, who will carry 117 pounds and be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, are Tahoe City, carrying 120 pounds, including Chris McCarron; Island Caper, 117, Paul Toscano; Go Bux, 117, Joey Castro; Academyawardwinner, 117, Eddie Delahoussaye; Afleetaffair, 117, Corey Nakatani; Houseafire, 115, David Flores; and Cantbetouched, 113, Laffit Pincay, Jr.
JOCKEYS, OTHERS PRIMED FOR POPULAR TEAM PENNING ON TUESDAY
Jockeys, celebrities and other riders will participate Tuesday night in what has become a popular sidelight to the summer racing season at Del Mar - the All Star Jockey Team Penning Competition. The third annual event, to benefit the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, will be held in the Horse Show Arena adjacent to the Del Mar racetrack.
Gates open at 5 p.m. and events begin at 7. General admission is $5 at the gate. A box seat package, which includes a buffet dinner, sells for $50. Dinner will be served from 5 to 7:30.
The MacBeth Fund was founded in 1987 by jockey Chris McCarron and his wife, Judy, along with comedian Tim Conway, and aids injured or disabled riders.
SAXOPHONIST RICHARD ELLIOT BRINGS HIS MUSIC TO "JAZZ AT DEL MAR"
Richard Elliot, born in Glasgow, Scotland, but raised in Los Angeles, brings his tenor saxophone artistry to Del Mar Wednesday night for the season's fifth "Jazz at Del Mar presented by Mercedes-Benz."
The free concert, under the auspices of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and in conjunction with Radio Station KIFM and supported by Mercedes-Benz, will be presented at the seaside track's Plaza de Mexico. Starting time is approximately 6:30.
Elliot has taken a musical journey through rhythm and blues, pop-funk and fusion on to contemporary jazz. Growing up with R&B, Elliot took his first music job as a teen-ager when he toured one summer with Natalie Cole and the Pointer Sisters. Following that, he joined Kittyhawk, a cutting-edge fusion band.
That led to recording dates with longtime Motown favorites Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops and The Temptations, and The Yellowjackets, a group that has twice performed in Del Mar's jazz series, and Elliot then took a road trip with Melissa Manchester and her band. He joined Tower of Power in 1982, and began his solo career in 1987.
SHORE LINES: Charlie McCaul, "Mr. Do It All" of the Del Mar racing office, will celebrate his 40th birthday on Tuesday. Does that mean it will be a "double-dark day" for Charlie? .... Recent important workouts: 4 furlongs - Houseafire, :47 2/5; Lady Sorolla, :47 4/5; Cleante, :47 2/5; Larry the Legend, :46 2/5; 5 furlongs - Academyawardwinner, 1:00; Concept Win, 1:01 2/5; 6 furlongs - The Barking Shark, 1:13 2/5; 7 furlongs - Exotic Wood, 1:26 2/5; Top Rung, 1:24.
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