KNUST IS WEIGHTING ON CIGAR FOR SANTA ANITA HANDICAP
With a million dollars up for grabs, and the possibility of another $2 million for a horse that sweeps the inaugural MGM Grand Classic Crown, the Santa Anita Handicap on March 2 should have it best field in ages, despite the likely presence of 1995 Horse of the Year Cigar.
"I think we'll have a big field, even with Cigar," Santa Anita racing secretary Tom Knust said. "It's a prestigious race and people want to participate. It's been known to be the hardest race in the country to win, so I think everybody wants to take a shot at it.
"I think they realize the importance of the race, especially this year, if Cigar comes. Then the focus of the whole world will be on the race. I talked to (trainer) Bill Mott this morning (Feb. 14). They're counting on running here, although they do have other options. One is to stay and run in the Gulfstream Handicap (also on March 2). But the way they're talking, as long as Cigar stays healthy, I think this is their No. 1 option. But they do have others, such as the Gulfstream race, or just to wait for the Dubai race (on March 27). So I think they're going to keep them all open, but their No. 1 priority is the Santa Anita Handicap."
Speculation is rampant on the weight Cigar will be assigned for the Big 'Cap, since he won the Donn Handicap in hand under 128 pounds, the highest weight he's ever carried.
"When I talked to Mott, it was just about the horse and about when he would want to come out here, etc.," Knust said. "We never did discuss weights. As far as the panel of four people (Knust, Tom Robbins, Richard Wheeler and Zachary Soto) who will meet to assign the weights, we kind of all have our own views and opinions. We'll wait until the 25th and we'll get together.
"That will be the first time all four of us will discuss it together. Weights will officially be out that day -- Sunday, Feb. 25. The only reason I'm not saying anything (personally) right now -- I have a weight in mind -- is I don't want to influence the other three people, so I figure it's better not to say anything. Then when we go in, I won't have any influence on anybody else."
While Knust, understandably, does not wish to sway his fellow panel members, there were plenty of jockeys, trainers, racing officials and handicappers who did venture an opinion on how much weight Cigar should carry in the Santa Anita Handicap.
Following are sample comments from an informal poll:
Martin Pedroza -- "They ought to put 150 on him. I want a California horse to win. Seriously, 128.
Alex Solis -- "135. He's a monster."
Laffit Pincay Jr. -- "132."
Chris McCarron -- "134. But that's because of (Jerry) Bailey's quote (after the Donn Handicap) . . . 'that weight was no factor.'"
Paul Atkinson -- "128."
Brice Blanc (leading apprentice rider from Lyon, France) -- "He's a good horse, but I don't know how much weight in pounds. I only know kilometers."
Chris Antley -- "141."
Corey Black -- "130, 131, something like that. How long has it been since a horse has carried 130? I bet it's been 10 years."
Gary Stevens -- "130."
Eddie Delahoussaye -- "160 . . . nah, make it 200."
Danny Sorenson -- "129 or 130, providing the spread on the others starts at 119 or 120. But weight won't get him beat."
Brad Free (Daily Racing Form Southern California handicapper) -- "130."
Jon White (former trackman for Daily Racing Form, currently inter-track TV co- host): "In the old days, 134. By today's standards, 130."
Charlie McCaul (clerk of scales) -- "132, with the next highweight getting 118."
Trainer Bill Spawr -- "The grandstand. Really, I think he's gotta get 130, 131."
Trainer Mike Mitchell -- "You hate to see a horse weighted down like they were years ago, but I think he's got to carry 130. The problem will be with the spread. Even if other horses are assigned 110 or 112, the top riders can't do much more than 115. I think Cigar is the greatest horse to come along since Secretariat."
Trainer Craig Lewis -- "If I were a racing secretary, I make it 130, because I want to make sure he runs here. But he probably should carry 132."
Jeff Tufts, program morning line odds maker at Santa Anita and Del Mar: "Put it this way. If he ran back against the horses he just beat in Florida (under 128 pounds), assuming he had no trouble in the race, he could carry 138 or 140 and win, I guarantee you."
Lewis Cenicola knows what it's like for a horse to carry a heavy burden. Cenicola, now a successful trainer, was exercise rider for the legendary John Henry, one of the few thoroughbreds of recent vintage to carry as much as 130 pounds.
"When I worked John Henry I weighed maybe 115 pounds dressed, with the exercise saddle, etc., maybe 130, 135," Cenicola said. "John Henry won the Santa Anita Handicap under 130 pounds (in 1982). Some horses can carry weight and some can't. That's what makes the difference.
"The old horses like Kelso and Forego carried a lot of weight, but they proved that they could do it. Others can't handle it and they get beat. The racing secretaries, in theory, try to weight horses to make them equal. I don't feel the weight itself makes any difference. Nowadays, they're not gonna put any more than 135 pounds on a horse. Years ago it was different. Now, they don't do it. But if Cigar wins the Santa Anita Handicap and Dubai, he's probably going to wind up with 132 in the Hollywood Gold Cup."
How would John Henry have fared vs. Cigar? "Cigar's done everything that you could ask. His record speaks for itself. I'm not taking anything away from Cigar vs. John Henry, but when John Henry was racing, I think there were tougher handicap horses.
"But it's like any sport -- it's tough to compare athletes or horses of different generations. Cigar's the best. He's the king right now and he should be respected."
GOLDEN PICKS
OPEN RIVER -- Arizona invader should have won when beaten a head at 14-1 for $32,000. Snatched from between horses in deep stretch, losing valuable momentum, gelding was moved to the outside and just missed beating odds-on favorite and six-time winner Discard the Five. Trainer Eddie Truman should earn welcome victory with better luck.
MEDINO BAY -- New Zealand-bred mare outran her odds at 43-1 in U.S. debut, closed resolutely while wide to finish second, two lengths behind 13-10 favorite Inscrutable Dancer. Should land in winners' circle against moderate allowance turf routers.
THE HOMESTRETCH: When Cigar arrives from Florida, tentatively set for
Thursday or Friday of Big 'Cap week, he'll stay in Jack Van Berg's barn 17 at Santa
Anita. Bill Mott came up under the Hall of Famer . . . Bobby Frankel still hasn't been
won over by Santa Anita's sandy grass course, despite winning nearly 50 percent of his
starts over it. "It doesn't look any better," said Frankel, who had won eight turf races from
17 starters through last Friday. "I just hope they come back safe." . . . Richard Mandella
has willingly given his time and concern to former mentor Lefty Nickerson, who
recently suffered a stroke . . . Clerk of Scales Charlie McCaul, swamped with
get-well cards for Goncalino Almeida, played mailman and Santa at the same time and
transported them to the injured rider's home in Arcadia. "He's making good progress,"
McCaul reported of Almeida, who suffered fractures to both legs in a riding mishap last
Dec. 29. "He's in great spirits, doing his rehab religiously and thanks everyone for their
support and kindness." . . . Eoin Harty and his wife, Kathy, should be contacted at
(818) 454-3458 or (818) 446 2167 by anyone wishing to make contributions for Lisa
Martin's medical expenses. Martin, 35, a former exercise rider for Charlie
Whittingham and Alex Hassinger Jr., suffered from cardiac arrest at Clockers' Corner
last Sunday and is in critical condition at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. Her medical costs
are prohibitive and the family cannot meet them. Horsemen have "been overwhelming"
in their support, according to Harty, but more funds are needed. Checks can be made
payable to Lisa Martin, c/o Racetrack Chaplain, Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntindon Dr.,
Arcadia, CA 91007 . . . Overnight impressions of Las Vegas: singer's singer Keely Smith
performed like a trooper on closing night at the Desert Inn, despite a touch of the flu, and
sounded better with a cold than most singers without one . . . The MGM Grand, world's
largest hotel, casino and theme park, is so big it should have its own zip code . . . Bob
Baffert says if Cavonnier, a son of Batonnier, wins the Kentucky Derby, he'll
participate in the winners' circle ceremony wearing a Batman suit.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/alauck)