LUKAS' GRADE I WINS IN 1995
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas recorded his 16th Grade I win of 1995 Saturday when
he sent out Cara Rafaela for a head victory over 3-5 favorite Advancing Star in the
$250,000 Hollywood Starlet.
Sunday, Lukas had dead aim on Grade I win No. 17 with 4-5 morning line favorite Hennessy in the $500,000 Hollywood Futurity. Incidentally, Lukas and jockey Gary Stevens, who had the call on Hennessy, had already teamed for 11 Grade I wins in 1995.
Here's a list of Lukas' Grade I victories in 1995:
Race Horse Jockey Track DateADVANCING STAR EMERGES FROM STARLET WITH TENDER SHINLas Virgenes Serena's Song Nakatani, C. SA Feb. 19
Santa Anita Oaks Serena's Song Nakatani, C. SA March 12
Kentucky Derby Thunder Gulch Stevens, G. CD May 6
Preakness Timber Country Day, P. Pim May 20
Gazelle Serena's Song Stevens, G. Bel June 3
Mother Goose Serena's Song Stevens, G. Bel June 9
Belmont Thunder Gulch Stevens, G. Bel June 10
Haskell Serena's Song Stevens, G. Mth July 30
Travers Thunder Gulch Stevens, G. Sar Aug. 19
Hopeful Hennessy Stevens, G. Sar Aug. 27
Spinaway Golden Attraction Stevens, G. Sar Aug. 28
Matron Golden Attraction Stevens, G. Bel Sept. 16
Frizette Golden Attraction Stevens, G. Bel Oct. 7
Beldame Serena's Song Stevens, G. Bel Oct. 7
Oak Leaf Tipically Irish Pincay, L. SA Oct. 7
Hollywood Starlet Cara Rafaela Nakatani, C. Hol Dec. 16
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The ailment, however, isn't believed to be serious.
"She didn't buck, it's just a tender shin," Mandella said. "I don't think we have that big a problem, she probably won't even be turned out. We'll just back off of her for a little while."
Mandella said if all goes well, Advancing Star could be ready to race in time for the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 18.
Advancing Star suffered her first career defeat in the Starlet. She set the pace to deep stretch but was unable to hold off Cara Rafaela and was beaten a head.
SOLIS TAKES OVER CONTROLS ON LUTHIER FEVER
Alex Solis has picked up the mount on Cuadra T Y T Inc.'s Luthier Fever in
Saturday's $100,000-added Native Diver Handicap (Gr. III).
Gary Stevens, who rode Luthier Fever to a gate to wire triumph in the $250,000 Wells Fargo California Cup Classic on Nov. 11, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday and will miss about three weeks of action. Solis, the second leading rider at the meet with 23 wins, rode Luthier Fever to a fourth-place finish in the Grade II Goodwood Handicap at Oak Tree on Oct. 7.
In other Native Diver developments:
*Owner/trainer Larry Risdon said Regal Rowdy is "possible" for the race. Regal Rowdy, a 6-year-old gelding, defeated Cezind by a nose in the Flying Continental Handicap on Dec. 6.
"He's a nice little horse," Risdon said. "He tries so hard every time, he's never been worse than fourth in his life. But he's the star of our barn and we have to do right by him. My feeling is that 17 days might be a little bit too soon for him, but we haven't totally ruled it out."
*Cocooning worked six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 for owner/trainer Sam Aldabbagh.
*El Florista, a 5-year-old Argentine-bred, will make his United States debut in the Native Diver. El Florista (14-5-3-2--$397,390), owned by The Thoroughbred Corporation and trained by Gary Jones, is an early nomination to the $4-million Dubai World Cup on March 27, 1996.
Early probables for the 17th Native Diver Handicap, to be decided at 1 1/8 miles on the main track: Alphabet Soup, Chris Antley; Best Pal, Chris McCarron; El Florista, Kent Desormeaux, and Luthier Fever, Alex Solis.
Possible: Argolid, no rider; Caherdaniel, no rider, and Cocooning, no rider.
BABY DIAMONDS HOPES TO STOP SKID IN DAHLIA
For Baby Diamonds, a 4-year-old Maryland-bred filly, it's been a long time
between visits to the winner's circle. Eight races and 17 months, to be exact.
The daughter of Thirty Eight Paces appears to be headed in the right direction, however, and perhaps the $100,000-added Dahlia Handicap on Sunday, Dec. 24, will finally include the picture-taking ceremony that has eluded her since a $50,000 allowance victory here on July 25, 1994.
Baby Diamonds, a front-running router trained by Joe Devereux, turned in an encouraging prep race on Nov. 15, finishing fourth, beaten just two lengths, in the $61,000 Flawlessly Handicap. In that one, she set the pace to midstretch before being overtaken by eventual winner Twice The Vice, and she dug in gamely in defeat.
Overall, Baby Diamonds has won four of 19 starts and $147,551. Sunday, the dark bay drilled six furlongs in 1:16 over a firm Hollywood Turf course (dogs up) in a final prep for the Dahlia.
Other horses getting in works for the Dahlia included Yearly Tour, six furlongs in 1:18, handily, on the turf course, and Rapunzel Runz, six furlongs in 1:16 2/5 on the turf course.
Early probables for the 14th running of the Dahlia Handicap, to be decided at 1 1/16 miles on the turf course: Baby Diamonds, no rider; Cox Orange, no rider; Didina, Eddie Delahoussaye; Dirca, Corey Nakatani; Onceinabluemamoon, Brice Blanc; Pharma, no rider; Rapunzel Runz, no rider; Real Connection, Rene Douglas, and Yearly Tour, Chris McCarron.
NAKATANI TO MISS FOUR DAYS
Jockey Corey Nakatani will ride just one day at Hollywood Park next week, agent
Bob Meldahl said.
Nakatani will serve a three-day suspension on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday, he'll be at Calder Race Course to ride Interim in the $150,000-guaranteed La Prevoyante Handicap (Gr. II) and Igotrhythm in the $100,000-guaranteed Virginia Handicap (Gr. III).
Nakatani will return to Hollywood Park on Sunday, Dec. 24, and will ride Dirca in the $100,000-added Dahlia Handicap (Gr. II).
The three-day suspension is a carryover from a riding infraction at Del Mar last August.
SENIOR TOUR STOPS AT HOLLYPARK ON THURSDAY
Hollywood Park will honor seniors on Thursday, Dec. 21 -- both equine and
human.
The nine-race card will include a special contest for horses seven years of age and older. Dubbed the "Senior Tour," the race will be carded at 6 1/2 furlongs for $10,000 to $16,000 claiming horses. In addition to a $20,000 purse ($11,000 to the winner), the winning owner receives one set of woods and the winning trainer receives one set of irons from the Hollywood Park Golf Center.
Fans 62-and-older, meanwhile, receive free general admission to the day's races.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/alauck)