Bee El Tee, Larry The Legend's "little brother," worked six furlongs on Hollywood
Park's fast main track Sunday morning in preparation for next Saturday's $100,000-added Cinema Handicap.
Owner/trainer Craig Lewis was on hand to supervise the move. With Kent
Desormeaux aboard, the 3-year-old Illinois-bred son of Known Fact went in 1:13,
handily.
Bee El Tee, named by Craig's brother, Todd, for Craig's three teenage nephews,
Bret, Eliot and Timmy, was one of four horses Lewis bought by default at a bankruptcy
sale of former client Photini Jaffe's horses.
Another was Larry The Legend, for whom Craig paid $2,500, and went on to win
the $700,000 Santa Anita Derby before suffering a knee injury last month.
Trainer Randy Bradshaw said that Oncefortheroad will start in the Cinema. Danny
Sorenson, who rode the son of Falstaff to a second-place finish at 58-1 in the San
Pedro Stakes on April 12, has the mount.
"That was his first start in more than seven months," Bradshaw said of the San
Pedro, "and I was really surprised at how well he ran, because we had the Cinema in
mind at that time. He's the kind of a horse who has to lay back and make a run."
Oncefortheroad, who won the Gateway to Glory Stakes at Fairplex last
September, has never failed to earn a check in nine career starts. He was fifth, beaten
just four lengths despite going wide, in the Will Rogers Breeders' Cup Handicap at
Hollywood Park on May 14.
Confirmed starters for the Grade III Cinema, to be decided at 1 1/8 miles on the
turf: Bee El Tee, Kent Desormeaux; Bryntirion, Corey Black or Corey Nakatani; Fine
N' Majestic, Gary Stevens; Hidden Source, Black or Nakatani; In Character, Chris
Antley; Longliner, Chris McCarron; On Target, Alex Solis; Oncefortheroad, Sorenson,
and Via Lombardia, Eddie Delahoussaye.
DON'T READ MY LIPS, JUST LOOK AT MY BANKROLL
At 21 years old, Casey Maslonka is the youngest trainer on the circuit.
But if he makes a few more claims like the one he made Feb. 20 -- when he
haltered Don't Read My Lips for $16,000 -- he certainly will not be the most anonymous.
A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Turkoman out of the Roberto mare Our Dear
Sue, Don't Read My Lips has won two of three starts since the claim. She's already
earned $59,200 for her new owners -- Bruce Dunmore, Gary Howard (Casey's father)
and Mike Shuman.
Her latest victory, a 53-1 shocker on the grass in a $48,000 non-winners of $3,000
twice other than maiden, has her connections thinking big, as in next Sunday's
$150,000-added Gamely Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Maslonka said he isn't so foolish to believe Don't Read My Lips can beat the likes
of Possibly Perfect in a Grade I race. He does, however, think the filly has a chance to
earn black type by finishing third, and since Don't Read My Lips was claimed with the
intention of making her a broodmare, the time may be right to let her try a stakes.
"We'll strongly consider running her if we feel we can legitimately run third, and if
the weights are good," Maslonka said. "Her work on the turf Friday (six furlongs in 1:14)
was good, she's very sharp right now. The owners, I think, are leaning toward running
her (in the Gamely)."
As of Sunday morning, five horses appeared definite for the 29th running of the
Gamely, whose recent list of winners includes such stalwarts as Hollywood Wildcat,
Toussaud and Estrapade.
Probables for the 29th running of the Gamely Handicap: Aube Indienne,
Chris McCarron; Don't Read My Lips, Fernando Valenzuela; Lady Affirmed, Gary
Stevens; Morgana, Eddie Delahoussaye, and Possibly Perfect, Kent Desormeaux
.
Possible: Cabo Queen, no rider, and Wende, no rider.
FREE SPORTS CAPS MONDAY
Free Hollywood Park Sports Caps will be given to all paid admissions (while
supplies last) at Hollywood Park and most satellite wagering locations on Memorial Day.
First post is 1 p.m. for the 10-race holiday program.
SOUL OF THE MATTER WORKS TOWARDS HOLLYPARK COMEBACK
Burt Bacharach's Soul of the Matter, sidelined with foot problems since finishing
fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic last Nov. 6, worked a half-mile in :51 3/5 on
Hollywood Park's fast main track Sunday morning.
"He might race here before we leave," trainer Richard Mandella said of the West
Virginia-bred son of Private Terms. "He's doing real well. I just gave him a long rest and
he's doing great."
Exercise rider Jon Turner was aboard for the workout.
POSSIBLY PERFECT LIVES UP TO HER NAME AND THEN SOME
In her last four starts, Possibly Perfect would have been more aptly named had
the word "Possibly" been dropped from her moniker.
The 5-year-old Northern Baby mare has been in a word, "Perfect." She has won
her last four races, including two Grade I's and the Grade III Wilshire Handicap at
Hollywood Park on May 14.
Next Sunday, the Kentucky-bred bay shoots for her fifth in a row in the Grade I
Gamely Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
Geri Witt, wife of Robert Witt, co-owns Possibly Perfect with her husband. She
explained how they bred Possibly Perfect, who will be a short price to win the $150,000-added Gamely Handicap.
"Possibly Perfect and her dam, Avasand, were homebreds," said Mrs. Witt, who
resides in Encino. "Both were foaled at Ashleigh Stud Farm near Paris, Ky., under the
care of Frank and Jackie Ramos.
"Her second dam, Sandy Blue, was the first horse my husband bought an interest
in (50 percent). His dear friend and long-time partner, Abe Colton, passed away in
1987, after which we formed our new stable, Blue Vista, Inc. We named it after Sandy
Blue and purchased both her and Avasand from the partnership (Sandy Blue won six
stakes, including the Hollywood Oaks and the Del Mar Oaks in 1973).
"Actually, Possibly Perfect was my second choice for a name. However, she has
certainly lived up to it! She is a testament to the wonderful start at Ashleigh and the
TLC' provided by the (Bobby) Frankel barn."
LIYOUN PREPS FOR FRIDAY'S BO DEREK
Stephen M. Taub's Liyoun, who ducked Monday's $500,000 Hollywood Turf
Handicap in favor of Friday's $75,000-added Bo Derek Stakes, breezed five furlongs in
1:01 flat Sunday morning.
"The (Turf Handicap) is such a contentious, full race, you could run seventh and
be beaten just five lengths," trainer Dan Hendricks said.
Another Bo Derek probable, Ron Charles and Clear Valley Stable's Jahafil,
worked seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5, handily, Sunday.
Probables for the Bo Derek, carded at "10 perfect furlongs": Liyoun, G. F.
Almeida; Jahafil, no rider, and Lord Shirldor, no rider
.
FONDLY REMEMBERED DOUBTFUL FOR GAMELY HANDICAP
Although she's nominated to next Sunday's $150,000-added Gamely Handicap,
Fondly Remembered will probably remain in the barn, trainer Barry Abrams said.
Saturday, Fondly Remembered went wire to wire to post a 1/2-length victory over
Twin Bet in a $60,000 allowance race at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
"I can't beat Possibly Perfect in that race," said Abrams, "so what good is it
running as hard as you can against a horse who is just playing with you."
Abrams has a history of wheeling horses back quickly. Last year, he saddled
Bengal Bay in two stakes in three days, one a sprint on dirt, the other a marathon on
grass.
"The only way (Fondly Remembered) will run is if there's a three-horse field,"
Abrams said.
FREE THORO-GRAPH SEMINAR MONDAY
Serious handicappers will have an opportunity to raise their game to a higher
plateau at a free Thoro-Graph seminar workshop at Hollywood Park on Monday,
Memorial Day.
The seminar begins at 11 a.m. in front of the study hall in the Clubhouse.
Admission is free, and free samples of Thoro-Graph sheets will be available, as well as
instructions on how to use them.
HARRY (BUD) BRUBAKER DEAD AT 85
Harry F. (Bud) Brubaker, manager of operations at the Del Mar Thoroughbred
Club, died in his sleep at his Encinitas home Friday night. He was 85.
Brubaker, a former NFL referee who officiated the 1968 championship game, was
a Del Mar empoyee since 1945. A former high school coach and teacher at Dorsey,
West Chester and San Pedro, Brubaker listed former Major League baseball players
Sparky Anderson and Billy Consolo among his proteg‚s.
Brubaker, a graduate of Loyola Marymount (then Loyola Los Angeles), is survived
by his sons, Steve and Chris. Funeral arrangements are pending.
FINISH LINES: Jockey David Flores was back working horses
at Hollywood Park
Sunday morning and plans to resume riding Wednesday following a month off to treat an ulcer. "I
feel brand new," the 27-year-old native of Tijuana said. "I also have high cholesterol,
but with medication and proper diet for the next six months, everything should be fine.
Primarily, I'll be eating lots of vegetables, but no red meat and no greasy foods." . . .
Jack Van Berg on No Commitment's 20th victory in the 10-year-old gelding's
83rd career start Saturday: "I thought there was no way he was gonna win at the
16th pole," the Hall of Fame trainer said. "But he sure knows where the wire is." .
Randy Bradshaw reports Louisiana Derby winner Petionville is being considered for the
$300,000-guaranteed Ohio Derby (Gr. II) at Thistledown on June 17.
"If everything goes well, I'd like to bring him back for the Swaps (Hollywood Park, July
23)," Bradshaw said. "We've been shipping him all over the country and I'd really like to
run at home if I could." Bradshaw said I'ma Game Master won't return to the races until
he regains some weight. The son of Jaklin Klugman, who shipped out of town for his
last two races, lost 25 pounds in his travels . . . Hollywood Park stable notes are
now available on the computer Web.
Richard Mandella's assistant, Chris Baker, will be at Belmont
Park Monday to saddle
Romarin in the $500,000-guaranteed Metropolitan Handicap, which
will be simulcast to Hollywood Park. Scheduled post time is 2:05 p.m. Mandella said
Best Pal's mile work in 1:37 3/5 Saturday in preparation for The Californian on June 11
couldn't have been better. "He's in super shape," Mandella said of the 7-year-old
gelding, who had been pointing to Monday's Hollywood Turf Handicap until a less-than-satisfactory grass work last week. "This (the additional two weeks) will give him a longer
time (off) since the Oaklawn Handicap (April 15), which will pay off down the line
because we'll come back in a little shorter time for the (Hollywood) Gold Cup (July 2),"
Mandella said.
Craig Lewis
reports Larry The Legend continues his recovery at Santa Anita
from removal
of a chip in his left knee on April 18. "He's walking twice a day and he's
right on schedule," Lewis said of the Santa Anita Derby winner . . . Trainer Clifford
Sise reported 1994 Cal Cup Sprint runner-up Ke Express had a chip removed from an
ankle and will be on the shelf for at least three months . . . Bobby
Frankel doubled Saturday and opened a 14-12 lead on Sandy Shulman in the trainers' standings . . .
Call him "Mr. Lid-lifter" -- Shulman's victory with Norcliffe Dancer ($32.20) in Saturday's
first race was already the trainer's fifth win of the meet in the first race . . . Sunday's
prominent works (overcast & fast): J. F. Williams (:35), Mr Purple (:48), Marina Park
(1:01 3/5), Blaze O'Brien (1:13 4/5) and Johann Quatz (1:26 3/5).