GOLDEN GLIMPSES #122

July 7, 1998

By ED GOLDEN

Gary Stevens is not going to New York, but Kent Desormeaux might.

Stevens had announced he would ride full-time in New York this fall, before trainer Bob Baffert made him an offer he couldnt refuse--first call on all his stock, including Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet.

Now Desormeaux, who came within a controversial nose of winning the Triple Crown on Real Quiet, could move his tack to the Big Apple during the 19-day Fairplex Park meet which starts Sept. 10. Usually, Desormeaux, like most major jocks on the Southern California circuit, lays low during the Pomona session.

“We’ll have to see where our clients are,” said Tony Matos, veteran agent who handles Desormeauxs business. Nothings been decided yet. Well go day-to-day.

The decision could come down to money. If Desormeaux is within hailing distance of the national money title, he could go to New York instead of sitting home pitching pennies during Fairplex, riding an occasional stakes race and waiting for Oak Tree to start.

Through June 28, Desormeaux’s horses ranked third in money won with $8,494,445. Stevens was No. 1 with $10,133,621. Jerry Bailey was second with $9,075,247.

But for the bob of a nose in the Belmont, Desormeaux would have been the runaway leader. That nose cost Desormeaux $600,000 in first-place money, plus a $5 million Visa bonus that goes to a Triple Crown winner. Add $5.6 million to $8.5 million. It comes to more than $14 million.

Ouch!

A.P. ASSAY-- Daughter of A.P. Indy never better, as upset of 1-2 Exotic Wood in A Gleam Handicap indicates. Expect bigger and better things.

CATALINA CANTINA -- Juvenile filly took up and lost all chance. Worth another try against $50,000 maidens.

DRUMM VALLEY -- Ran too good to lose in $62,500 turf sprint. Similar effort gets the money.

FLYING REY -- Longshot won turf sprint with authority, should have enough in tank for repeat, but not at 23-1.

JACK’S BACK -- First-time starter got bogged down on inside but showed courage throughout under Cowboy Jack Kaenel, who was making his comeback. Gray 4-year-old can surprise next time.

MAGICAL ALLURE -- Daughter of General Meeting at the top of her game and should keep winning for sizzling Baffert barn.

PEPPERMINT TWIST -- Favorite got rolling too late, closed resolutely to finish third. Rates another chance vs. $14,000 claiming sprinters.

YOLO LADY -- In rare form and can continue winning ways.

THE HOMESTRETCH: Sandy Hawley, who retired July 1 after a 30-year riding career including stretches in Southern California, will be remembered not only for being in both the Canadian and American racing Halls of Fame, or for riding 6,449 winners, but for being a gentlemen of the highest order. The 49-year-old native of Canada always had time for journalists of any station. He was polite, candid and honest, despite overcoming several bouts with cancer and serious riding injuries. Sandy is about to embark on a career in public relations. Hell fit that even better than he did his mounts . . . Trainer Bill Spawr, Laffit Pincay Jr.s primary employer, on the 51-year-old Hall of Famers resurgence: Hes riding better horses, yes, Spawr said, but a lot of guys (top riders) have been out of town, so hes getting a lot more choices. Pincay had 23 wins through July 4 to rank among the top five at Hollywood Park. A year ago, Pincay won only two of 27 at Oak Tree and was considering moving his tack to the Bay Area in a bid to reach Bill Shoemakers career riding record of 8,833 wins. When Pincay won the $100,000 Frans Valentine Stakes on June 26, he did so under 116 pounds, the first time in years he had ridden at less than 117. Trainer Dick Mandella told Pincay if he wanted to ride Supercilious, he would have to do 116. It could have made the difference. Supercilious won by a head. I really made an effort to lose the pound, said Pincay, who couldnt recall the last time he rode at 116 pounds. I can do it, but if I stayed like this Id probably be weak the next day. . . . Favorite Trick, the 1997 Horse of the Year who has fallen off racings radar screen under Bill Mott, could surface in Sundays Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park against Coronado Quest. Or, Mott could run track record-holder Rock and Roll in the Dwyer instead of Favorite Trick. It will be one or the other, Mott said. I prefer to run my horses in New York. This is where Im based and I dont like to ship too often. But Favorite Trick was slow coming back from the Kentucky Derby and then he bruised his foot and we lost training with him. The Dwyer was his goal, but Im going to see if he needs an extra week. Whoever doesnt run in the Dwyer will probably run in the Long Branch at Monmouth (July 19). Favorite Tricks last start was in the Derby, where he finished eighth. When he won the Swale, he proved he could be a winner as a 3-year-old, Mott said. Losing the Arkansas Derby by a neck to a horse that would go on to be runner-up in the Derby and Preakness and win the Belmont (Victory Gallop) was no disgrace, either. Looking back, Favorite Trick was probably not a horse that was cut out for a mile-and-a-quarter in the Derby. Maybe a smarter trainer could have gotten him to get that distance. Anyway, it took him longer than we hoped to come back from that race, and then he hurt his foot. . . . Hollywood track announcer Luke Kruytbosch usually heads to Turf Paradise in Arizona after the Inglewood meet, but not this year. Hell do a seven-week stint at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. Reason? R.D. Hubbard calls the shots at both Hollywood and Ruidoso . . . Post times at Del Mar the first four Fridays (July 24-Aug. 14) will be 4 p.m. at the 43-day meet which starts on July 22. Post time the final three Fridays (Aug. 21-Sept. 4) will be 3:30 p.m. to allow for earlier sunsets. Otherwise, first post will be 2 p.m. . . . Trainer Sonny Hine, on how his father told him to keep money in perspective: He said if you have a nickel more than you need, then you dont need it. More Sonny: On the options his wife, Carolyn, owner of Skip Away, has if Sonny messes up the horses training: Whats she gonna do, fire me?

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