THE OLD PRO PREPS FOR NATIVE DIVER HANDICAP
If Golden Eagle Farm's Best Pal is ready for retirement, he sure doesn't show it. Wednesday
morning, the 7-year-old California-bred gelding worked a half-mile in :48 in his final prep for
Saturday's $100,000-added Native Diver Handicap. Before the workout, Best Pal jogged laps at
trainer Richard Mandella's shedrow. As usual, Best Pal had his head bowed and his chest puffed
proudly outward as he limbered up for the workout.
"He's showing the younger horses what a racehorse is supposed to look like," Mandella said. "Look at him, he sure acts like a horse who wants to be retired, doesn't he?"
Still, every time Best Pal goes postward these days rumors of his imminent retirement abound. It's interesting to note, however, that Best Pal has actually earned more money in 1995 ($538,600) than he did in 1994 ($420,200). And he remains virtually unbeatable at Hollywood Park, where he has won six races and $1,215,400 in nine starts.
Overall, Best Pal has raced 48 times, recording 18 wins, 11 seconds and four thirds. He has earned $5,668,245 -- the third-highest total ever and No. 1 among active thoroughbreds.
"He's still to be dealt with," Mandella said. "There are no plans to retire him. He still enjoys training and he's still competitive."
In Wednesday's workout, exercise rider Jon Turner -- following orders -- kept Best Pal under a snug hold. Perhaps too snug, Mandella hinted.
"Luckily, there were a couple of horses coming up behind him and he took off," Mandella said. "But look at him, he's mad because he didn't get to run like he really wanted to."
That will have to wait until Saturday. Probables for the 17th Native Diver Handicap, to be decided at 1 1/8 miles on the main track: Best Pal, Chris McCarron, 122; El Florista, Kent Desormeaux, 118; Luthier Fever, Alex Solis, 118; Alphabet Soup, Chris Antley, 117; Caherdaniel, no rider, 117.
Possible: Regal Rowdy, Eddie Delahoussaye, 115; Cezind, no rider, 114, and Cocooning, no rider, 110.
SOLIS PICKS UP THE MOUNT ON CARESS
Harbor View Farm's Caress, looking to rebound from a 12th place finish in the $700,000
Matriarch on Nov. 26, will carry high weight of 120 pounds in Sunday's $100,000-added Dahlia
Handicap for fillies and mares.
Caress, a winner of 11 of 21 starts and $497,650, was transferred to trainer Charlie Whittingham following the Matriarch. The homebred daughter of Storm Cat, formerly trained by H. Allen Jerkens, has won three Grade III events this year in New York -- the Beaugay and Athenia Handicaps at Aqueduct, and the Poker Stakes against males at Belmont Park.
Alex Solis will take over the riding chores on Caress. Solis began closing week needing six victories to tie Gary Stevens for first place in the standings.
Early probables for the 14th running of the Dahlia Handicap, to be decided at 1 1/16 miles on the turf course: Caress, Alex Solis, 120; Cox Orange, no rider, 118; Onceinabluemamoon, Brice Blanc, 118; Yearly Tour, Chris McCarron, 118; Pharma, no rider, 116; Real Connection, Rene Douglas, 116; Rapunzel Runz, no rider, 114; Dirca, no rider, 113, and Baby Diamonds, Chris Antley, 112.
PINCAY OUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS FOLLOWING SPILL
Laffit Pincay Jr., who suffered three broken ribs during a spill in Sunday's fourth race, said he
felt "fine" and hoped to be able to resume riding within 3-to-4 weeks.
I feel fine, I have no pain at all," Pincay said via telephone from his home in Glendale. "I'm able to walk, and I've had no problem sleeping. It's just going to take a little time (for the ribs to mend)."
Pincay, aboard the 2-year-old filly Kris's Intention, said he saw trouble coming as the field made its way into the clubhouse turn.
"The horse outside of me was coming in, and I hollered," Pincay said. "Then I remember the horse on the inside (Our Golden Promise) was lugging out. I was between them and my filly stumbled, lost her balance and went down. I'm not sure if it was anyone's fault, it was probably just an accident."
Pincay, 48, was tied for eighth place in the standings with 11 wins through Sunday. His 8,367 victories are the second highest total ever.
PINCAY ISN'T THE ONLY JOCKEY MISSING
The jockeys' colony at large began the week depleted. Kent Desormeaux and Corey Nakatani
were both serving suspensions -- Desormeaux through Friday and Nakatani through Dec. 29 -- Chris
McCarron was taking a three-day hiatus and Gary Stevens underwent arthroscopic knee surgery
Monday and was expected to miss three weeks.
MAXIBOB LOOKS TO ADD SENIOR FEATHER TO GRAY CAP
Maxibob will be a cinch if Hollywood Park Racing Secretary Martin Panza ever cards a
"Graybeard Handicap."
As it is, Maxibob has already won the "Gray Cup" -- a seven furlong claiming race for gray horses on Nov. 15 -- and is now the 2-1 morning line favorite in Thursday's "Senior Tour," a 6 1/2-furlong claiming event for horses seven years of age and older.
Maxibob, an 8-year-old gray gelding, has won 14 races and $212,127 in an 80-race career that began in the state of Washington in 1989. Currently owned by Nicholas B. Alexander and trained by Bill Spawr, Maxibob has been claimed 12 times since arriving in Southern California in January of 1993.
In addition to a $20,000 purse ($11,000 to the winner), the winning owner of the Senior Tour 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.
FAN APPRECIATION DAY HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY'S HOLLYWOOD PARK FINALE
Fan Appreciation Day will be a feature of the closing of Hollywood Park's 30-day Autumn
Meeting on Sunday, Christmas Eve, when the track will offer drawings for cash and prizes as well as
presenting each paid patron with a special gift while supplies last.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon, Hollywood Park will cater to children when transforming its North Park into a "winter wonderland" with 100 tons of snow for the track's annual Snow Day. Free candy and an appearance by Santa Claus will be offered. Adults accompanied by a child may receive free admission to the races.
The Grand Prize on Fan Appreciation Day will be a four-day trip for two to the 1996 Kentucky Derby that includes airfare, lodging, racing tickets and $500 in cash. Other prizes include five $1,000 gambling sprees. Each paid admission will receive a choice of gifts such as 1995 Commemorative Gold Cups, Fred Stone Collectors' Mugs or Best of the Breeders' Cup videos.
The Running Horse (https://www.isd1.com/alauck)