Golden Glimpses

GOLDEN GLIMPSES #30

MANDELLA COULD CHALLENGE CIGAR WITH SIPHON
Trainer Richard Mandella's intended rematch with Soul of the Matter against Cigar in the Hollywood Gold Cup never came off, when both horses were injured. Cigar defeated Soul of the Matter by a half-length in the Dubai World Cup on March 27.

But Mandella could be meeting Cigar in the Citation Challenge at Arlington International on July 13. Only this time it wouldn't be with Soul of the Matter, but a new shooter in the handicap ranks, a free-running speedball named Siphon.

"Surely, the Pacific Classic (at Del Mar on Aug. 10) is big on everybody's list," Mandella said after the Brazilian-bred Siphon led throughout at 9-1 to win the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup on Sunday.

"Whether I'd up and try to go to Chicago, I don't know. I'll just have to give it a little thought."

Soul of the Matter suffered a bruised foot Tuesday before the Gold Cup, and Afternoon Deelites, who would have been odds-on in the Triple Bend on Sunday, came down with filling in his tendon the morning of the race, forcing him out. The announcement of his retirement could be imminent.

Mandella took both setbacks in stride, just as he takes million-dollar victories. "I've gained too much in my life to feel like anybody owed me one. It's just I wonder why they test me so hard sometimes."

Mandella on jockey David Flores, who picked up the mount on Siphon from Kent Desormeaux two races back: "David Flores fits a lot of horses, and he's particularly good on a speed horse, and Siphon is a speed horse. It couldn't feel better to help somebody like David, who's had a little struggle in his life and tried so hard to overcome it.

"He's winning the battle, and as long as he does that, I'll back him all I can."

Flores has been beset by substance abuse and personal problems. He left the Fairplex Park session in mid-meet last September, and was handed a 60-day suspension when he tested positive for cocaine earlier this year, while posting a spotty attendance record at Santa Anita.

"I had a beautiful trip," the 28-year-old Tijuana native said. "It reminded me of Marquetry in 1991 . . . He was just kind of looking around, because he was going too easy. So I had to start screaming at him. And I told him, 'Don't stop. Give me a little more.'"

Trainer Bill Mott, who saddled 17-10 favorite Geri to a second-place finish, seems bent on keeping the nation's top two handicap horses on separate paths, at least until the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 26.

"There's a number of big races and there's plenty of good spots for both horses (Cigar and Geri) to run in," Mott said. When I asked him about the Breeders' Cup, he said: "Well, then I'll have to talk to Mr. (Allen) Paulson and probably let him have the deciding vote.

"I hope I have that problem come Breeders' Cup time. I hope both horses are healthy and able to go, and we have to choose, one way or another. That's a nice problem to have."

Best post-race quote came from Geri's rider, Jerry Bailey. When queried by Charslie Cantey: "I hate to say this, but, close, but no Cigar."

GOLDEN PICKS

DIXIE PEARL -- Razor-sharp for Dick Mandella, heavily favored filly won with authority despite breaking through gate prior to the start. Should continue winning ways, but don't expect boxcar payoffs.

WHITE OCEAN -- Well-meant first-timer was off awkwardly in debut and was rushed into contention along the inside where he was never comfortable. Deserves another chance.

THE HOMESTRETCH: Current point standings in the MGM Grand Classic Crown series: Mr Purple (10), Helmsman (8) and Luthier Fever (7). The MGM Grand's offer to pay a $2 million bonus for a sweep of the Santa Anita Handicap, the Gold Cup and the Pacific Classic, is safe for this year. Big 'Cap winner Mr Purple, 4-1 in the Gold Cup, was eased in the race. Trainer Ron McAnally indicated the horse had flipped his epiglottis . . . Burt Bacharach was hoping to fly the Concorde from London to see Soul of the Matter run in the Gold Cup, but when the horse was injured, the award-winning composer stayed put following two performances at the Royal Festival Hall. Bacharach struck out again when his Afternoon Deelites filled a tendon the morning of the Triple Bend Handicap, forcing him out of the race. Hollywood Park had been set to send a signal to Bacharach's London hotel so he could watch the race . . . Mandella said he would likely pass the Bel Air Handicap on July 14 with Soul of the Matter and "just point to the Pacific Classic and take my time. I'm usually best when I go slow so I don't have to think too fast." Asked if he would run three horses (Siphon, Soul of the Matter and Dare and Go) in the final leg of the MGM Classic Crown, Mandella quipped: "I'd run 10 if I could." . . . Hollywood Park racing secretary Martin Panza wouldn't say it for the record, but Cigar would have carried 131 pounds for the Gold Cup . . . Gary Stevens, who on June 12 underwent surgery on his left shoulder, already has started rehab. "He's got 65 percent range of motion already," said his agent, Ron Anderson. "Both tendons were detached, and he also had 90 percent reconstruction of the rotator cuff. He had a couple of major operations, and he still has pain, but he seems to be coming along real well." Anderson, meanwhile, is performing admirably, as usual. His other jock, Chris Antley, won five races last Thursday . . . Wally Dollase has Alyrob on the farm in Bradbury and expects him back soon. "He had an infection in his foot from cuts suffered in the Kentucky Derby, but he'll be fine," the trainer said . . . Golden Eagle Farm racing manager Gayle Van Leer reports Best Pal is doing well in retirement. The all-time California-bred money winner ($5.6 million) is in light training to become a pony at Ramona. "He's very happy and he's very fat," smiled Van Leer, who noted visitors are welcome (call 619 789-2821 for an appointment). "And bring carrots." Best Pal will make his final public appearance when he leads the post parade for the Pacific Classic . . . Trainer Cliff Sise Jr. has put stakes-winning sprinter Paying Dues on hold due to recurring foot problems. The Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar on July 28 is his next major goal . . . Of Bill Shoemaker's eight Gold Cup victories, including those on Swaps, Round Table, Gallant Man and Ack Ack, Shoe says his most memorable came on Ferdinand in 1987 . . . How popular is Gaming Today? Veteran trainer George Williams sends a copy each week to his son, Sean -- in England! . . . Track announcer Luke Kruytbosch's call of the meet: ". . . And they're all chasing White Bronco." . . . Wayne Lukas has signed on for another year of representation by The Lawrence Company, a Newport Beach PR firm headed by Larry Feldman.

No other trainer can make that statement.

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