Posted April 13, 2009 11:30 a.m.

STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN, SUNDAY, APRIL 12^TH, 2009

‘CANDY’ IN SWEET DRILL AS CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ FOR DERBY GROWS

            Chocolate Candy, runner-up in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby and one of four major Kentucky Derby contenders based in Southern California, worked five furlongs under new rider Mike Smith on Pro-Ride Sunday in :59.20. The son of Candy Ride is scheduled to leave Tuesday for Louisville to prepare for the 135^th Kentucky Derby on May 2.

            “I was happy with the work,” said trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “Mike was able to familiarize himself with the horse, and he’s going to work the horse two times at Churchill Downs.”  Chocolate Candy, second by a length to Pioneerof the Nile in the Santa Anita Derby, won the Grade III El Camino Real Derby and the California Derby earlier this year.

            “Mike was very happy,” added Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward. “We leave at 2 a.m. Tuesday.”

            In addition to Chocolate Candy and Pioneerof the Nile, Southern California-based I Want Revenge and Papa Clem have emerged as favorites for the Run for the Roses. I Want Revenge was beaten twice by Pioneerof the Nile, in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park last Dec. 20, and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, before shipping east to win the Gotham Stakes and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

            Papa Clem was second by a half-length to Pioneerof the Nile in the Lewis before leaving town to run second in the Louisiana Derby and defeat odds-on favorite Old Fashioned in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby. “The California horses seem to be doing well,” Hollendorfer said.

“It means nothing now,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Pioneerof the Nile. “What will be meaningful is how they’re doing the week of the Derby. We know we have good horses here. We knew that going in. I bet on Papa Clem yesterday.”

            Dennis O’Neill, brother and associate of trainer Doug O’Neill, said Square Eddie leaves Tuesday morning for Keeneland where he runs in Saturday’s Grade II, $300,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Square Eddie worked six furlongs on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track Saturday in 1:12.20, breezing. Square Eddie was second to Midshipman in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Oak Tree last Oct. 25, a race in which Pioneerof the Nile finished fifth by almost three lengths.

            “Square Eddie belongs with these horses,” Dennis said. “It’s just a question of fitness, I guess, at this point. The way he worked yesterday, and hopefully, with a race into him Saturday, we’ll be close (for the Derby).”

In a change in his colt’s schedule, Baffert said Pioneerof the Nile would work at Santa Anita Wednesday and ship Thursday to Churchill Downs, where two workouts are scheduled before the Derby. Initially, Baffert considered working the Santa Anita Derby winner Monday for a Tuesday departure.

Baffert still had no commitment from Garrett Gomez on Pioneerof the Nile for the Derby. The nation’s Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey the last two years also is the rider of Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk for Todd Pletcher.

“(Ron) Anderson (agent for Gomez) is supposed to let me know after this weekend,” Baffert said. “I haven’t even thought about a backup (rider).”   Mel Stute, 81-year-old trainer and father of Gary Stute, asked if he gave his son any advice before Papa Clem won the Arkansas Derby: “No. That’s probably why he won.”

PAPA CLEM OWNER/BREEDER HIRSCH, TRAINER STUTE ON HRTV WEDNESDAY

Bo Hirsch, owner/breeder of Papa Clem, and trainer Gary Stute, will be guests on HRTV’s “Across the Board” Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Thanks to his victory in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby, Papa Clem has soared to No. 3 from No. 8 on Jon White’s weekly Kentucky Derby Top 10 list.

“The Arkansas Derby is yet another example of the strength of Southern California’s 3-year-olds in general and Santa Anita’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes in particular,” said White, a commentator for HRTV and the Santa Anita simulcast network. “Pioneerof the Nile won the Lewis on Feb. 7, with Papa Clem second and I Want Revenge third. Look at what those three have accomplished since then.

“Pioneerof the Nile has won both the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby. I Want Revenge won the Gotham Stakes and Wood Memorial. And now Papa Clem takes the Arkansas Derby. So the first three finishers in the Lewis have gone on to win important races all over the country.”

Here is White’s current Kentucky Derby Top 10: (1) Pioneerof the Nile, (2) I Want Revenge, (3) Papa Clem, (4) Quality Road, (5) Chocolate Candy, (6) Friesan Fire, (7) Dunkirk, (8) Musket Man, (9) Mr. Hot Stuff, (10) Desert Party.

“Pioneerof the Nile has defeated I Want Revenge twice and Papa Clem once, so the performances by I Want Revenge in New York and Papa Clem in the Arkansas Derby certainly flatter Pioneerof the Nile,” White said. “I honestly believe that Pioneerof the Nile might sweep the Triple Crown. I felt the same way about Point Given after he won the Santa Anita Derby because I thought the Belmont Stakes, which has ended so many Triple Crown dreams, was going to be the best fit for Point Given of all the Triple Crown races.

“Well, Point Given won the Belmont by about a block (12 ¼ lengths) after taking the Preakness, but there was no Triple Crown on the line because he finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. I also think the Belmont Stakes will suit Pioneerof the Nile the best of the Triple Crown races. His long stride is perfect for the Belmont. Not only that, his sire (Empire Maker) won the Belmont.”

“It’s also a plus that Bob Baffert (Pioneerof the Nile’s trainer) twice has come close to winning the Triple Crown. Silver Charm came within three-quarters of a length of doing it. Real Quiet came within a nose. Pioneerof the Nile embarks on his Triple Crown quest with an even better resume than Silver Charm and Real Quiet. Silver Charm and Real Quiet were unable to win the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby. Pioneerof the Nile won both of those races.”

What about the fact that Pioneerof the Nile has never raced on the dirt?

“In my opinion, based on Pioneerof the Nile’s pedigree, there’s a strong likelihood that he will do quite well on the dirt, just like I Want Revenge and Papa Clem,” White said. “Also consider what a number of other horses running on Santa Anita’s synthetic track have accomplished this year when they left California and raced on dirt. After winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface, Albertus Maximus won the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park on the dirt. And Well Armed lost twice on Santa Anita’s synthetic track this year, then won the Dubai World Cup by a record 14 lengths on the dirt.”

CARMA RETIREMENT ROUNDTABLE PRODUCES IMMEDIATE RESULTS

           The first retirement roundtable hosted April 8 by the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at Santa Anita was a success, particularly for one injured racehorse in Northern California. CARMA Board members stepped up to pay for a necessary surgery for Fabuloso, a 4-year-old filly by Smoke Glacken with a hind ankle fracture. Her prognosis for a full recovery and life in a second career is excellent.

Fabuloso’s fate was brought to the attention of the group by Bonnie Adams of CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses). She joined more than 40 representatives of retirement and rescue organizations. Participants included Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Grace Belcuore of CERF, Pricilla Clark of Tranquility Farm, Dawn Mellen of After the Finish Line, Joell Dunlap of Square Peg Foundation, Helen Meredith of United Pegasus Foundation, Susan Schwartz of Heaven Can Wait, and Karin Wagner of Neigh Savers Foundation. Representing CARMA were Madeline Auerbach, Board Chair, board member Jan Hawthorne, Marsha Naify, Vice Chair, and Executive Director Lucinda Mandella. 

Also in attendance was Dr. Jaymie Noland of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who presented information on a pilot program currently underway to evaluate and place ex-racehorses. Currently, two horses are being evaluated by students on conformation, medical condition and injuries, soundness, and temperament. Once the evaluation is complete the horses will be available for sale into appropriate careers. The goal is to build a program that can be duplicated in other university systems.   

CARMA’s goal in hosting the “Racehorse Retirement Roundtable” was to bring together representatives from non-profit groups working to save ex-racehorses. Discussions focused on the long-term plans of the major retirement facilities in California for perpetual operation, networking and communication between retirement groups, and resources for improved operation and efficiency by non-profit groups. 

Auerbach stressed the importance of all the organizations working together and supporting each other in trying to do what is best for the horses. The discussion focused on how that goal can be achieved.  “We have to put our differences aside and do what is best for the horses. I have no doubt that everyone in this room is as big a horse-lover as I am,” said Auerbach. “They have to come first.”

FINISH LINES: My Maloof Rocker’s victory in Saturday’s second race gave the sire Unusual Heat his 28^th victory at Santa Anita this meet, adding to his record. Unusual Heat sired 26 winners at Santa Anita last season . . . Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic champion Zenyatta worked six furlongs at Hollywood Saturday in a bullet 1:10.60 for John Shirreffs . . . Sunland Derby winner Kelly Leak worked four furlongs on Pro-Ride Saturday in :48.20, breezing, for the May 9 Lone Star Derby . . . Isaias Enriquez moved his tack to Sunland Park in New Mexico after finishing fourth on Caribbean’s Comic in Saturday’s third race. The 35-year-old Tijuana native was winless from 65 mounts at Santa Anita this meet. He had four seconds and six thirds. “I ride three horses there on Tuesday,” Enriquez said after dismounting from Caribbean’s Comic. “I’m not leaving just because I didn’t win here,” Enriquez continued. “It’s tough for everybody. The economy hit California very hard. I’m not the only one struggling right now. If it was just me, I would be asking myself what I’m doing wrong, but I see a bunch of riders who are struggling, and I’m not going to wait here until the boat sinks.” . . . Fellow countryman Martin Garcia, a native of Veracruz, ended a 59-race winless streak when he urged I Am Madison’s to a half-length victory in Saturday’s third race. Garcia’s last win before that came March 19 aboard Unusual Smoke for A.C. Avila. “Sometimes that happens,” the 24-year-old Garcia said about the drought. “I still have confidence, but it gets a little frustrating. I’ve been trying so hard and come close lots of times (second by a nose on Unusual Smile in Friday’s seventh race, and 10 seconds overall during the winless span).” . . . Martin Pedroza, who suffered a fractured pelvis in a racing mishap on Jan. 11, is working towards his return. “He was here the other morning, and he’s doing great,” said agent Richie Silverstein. “He’s going to the gym, exercises every day and he’s on a rehab program. We were hoping to make May 1, but realistically, he’s still six weeks away, so that puts us closer to the first of June. The middle of Hollywood Park meet is a very realistic starting point.” . . . Mike Mitchell and John Sadler, first and second in Santa Anita’s trainers’ race with a combined 310 starters, did not run a horse on Saturday’s nine-race card . . . Joe Talamo rides Santa Maria winner Santa Terisita for Eric Guillot next Saturday in the Grade III, $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Hawthorne.

Sunday, April 5, 2009 4:10 p.m. EDT

STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN, SUNDAY, APRIL 5^TH, 2009

BAFFERT EYES ROSES FOR SANTA ANITA DERBY KING PIONEEROF THE NILE

            Overcoming the challenge of another paceless race, Pioneerof the Nile Saturday enhanced his status as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 with a one-length victory in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby,

It’s on to Churchill Downs for the son of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and Bob Baffert, who has won the Run for the Roses three times, but who has not had a participant in the mile and a quarter classic the past two years.

“He came out of the race very good, and he’ll probably leave for Kentucky on the 14^th,” Baffert said Sunday morning, as he watched his two-time Eclipse Award winner Indian Blessing jog. “He’s still pretty fresh at the barn this morning. He never had to lay his body down.”

In winning the Grade I CashCall Futurity last Dec. 20 in his final start at two; the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes in his 3-year-old debut on Feb. 7; the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 14, and yesterday’s Santa Anita Derby, Pioneerof the Nile has rarely if ever experienced a pace scenario that would benefit his come-from-behind style.

“I’m figuring out his style as we go along,” Baffert said. “I learned a lot from that horse yesterday. You get a little bit out of each race, and it prepares me for the Derby, so I’m really happy with my situation right now. The only time he really hooked top-caliber horses was in the Robert Lewis. But we know what he can do when he does hook them, and he’s improving.”

Garrett Gomez has ridden Pioneerof the Nile in each of his four victories, but the nation’s Eclipse Award winner the past two years as outstanding jockey also has ridden Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk for Todd Pletcher, who hopes to make the Kentucky Derby with the son of Unbridled’s Song, despite marginal graded earnings at this time.

“I haven’t even given that any thought,” Baffert said when asked if he had Gomez for the Derby.

The atmosphere was understandably much more subdued at the barn of The Pamplemousse, where Saturday morning trainer Julio Canani scratched the 9-5 morning line favorite for the Santa Anita Derby when tendon issues flared.

            “We’re going to find out today or tomorrow, what to do,” Canani said. “A scan will be done,” said Alex Solis II, son of jockey Alex Solis, the colt’s regular rider. Alex II also is part owner of the gray son of Kafwain. “He’s comfortable; he’s fine,” Alex II said. “He’s walking right now. He’s going to run again. He’s not finished, but he will not run in the Kentucky Derby. We’ll evaluate and see how much time he needs.”

FINISH LINES: Dan Ward, assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, said Santa Anita Derby runner-up Chocolate Candy “couldn’t be better” Sunday morning. “He’s sound, and he ate up,” Ward said. “He’ll be staying at Santa Anita until he leaves for Kentucky, but we don’t have a ship date yet.” . . . Corey Nakatani was encouraged by Mr. Hot Stuff’s third-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby. “If he has enough graded earnings to run in the Kentucky Derby, a mile and a quarter should be ideal for him,” Nakatani said. “I think my horse and Dunkirk have the right running style for the first Saturday in May, but they might need graded earnings to qualify. Being by Tiznow, Mr. Hot Stuff has the breeding to get the distance. Tiznow won two Breeders’ Cup Classics back to back at a mile and a quarter, so the Derby might be right in Mr. Hot Stuff’s wheelhouse.” . . . Mike McCarthy, assistant to Todd Pletcher, reports their stock in Southern California leaves Tuesday for points east. “But we’ll be back for the Breeders’ Cup at Oak Tree,” McCarthy said, adding that Take the Points came out of his fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby “very well, but we have no plans for the horse right now.” . . . Darrell Vienna said Feisty Suances, fifth in the Santa Anita Derby, is a likely starter in the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park on April 25 . . . Jockey David Flores finished first among horsemen in Santa Anita’s 5K Walk and Run competition Saturday, with Guy Lamothe fourth and jockey Isaias Enriquez fifth. Notable finishers among women were trainer Kristin Mulhall, second, and Mary Forney and Lucinda Mandella of the TOC, fourth and 15^th, respectively . . . Probable for next Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Cienegas Handicap for older fillies and mares at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf: Dawn After Dawn, Joel Rosario; Gorgeous Goose, Rafael Bejarano; Gotta Have Her, Tyler Baze; and Tuscan Evening, Garrett Gomez. Gomez needs two stakes victories to surpass the Santa Anita meet record of 19 shared by Laffit Pincay Jr. and Nakatani . . . John Shirreffs reports Tiago is back to the track after missing the Santa Anita Handicap March 7 due to a loss of appetite. Shirreffs did not reveal a comeback race for champion filly Zenyatta, who worked five furlongs on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track Friday in :59.80, but has yet to run since win the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic last Oct. 24 . . . Michael Baze has been suspended three days (April 12, 15 and 16) for causing interference on Classic Demand in Friday’s eighth race . . . Two players remained alive in Santa Anita’s on line handicapping contest, ShowVivor II, going into Sunday’s races. On Saturday, each selected victorious Rail Trip in the fourth race.

Posted Thursday, April 2, 2009 11:45 p.m. EDT

ANABAA’S CREATION LIVES UP TO PROMISE IN U.S. DEBUT FOR CANANI

            ARCADIA, Calif. (April 2, 2009) – In making not only making her first start in the United States but her first over a synthetic surface, Anabaa’s Creation, an Irish-bred import from France, demonstrated her class Thursday with a decisive victory in Santa Anita’s $62,576 allowance feature for fillies and mares at one mile.

            With jockey Tyler Baze gaining his third win of the afternoon, Anabaa’s Creation was rated behind the two early leaders, took control while racing wide around the final turn, and drew off to a 2 ¾-length triumph over fast-closing, but non-threatening Hot n’ Dusty.

            The victorious Prestonwood Racing homebred, trained by Julio Canani, covered the distance over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface in 1:35.68 while likely heading for stakes competition at Hollywood Park after the Santa Anita meet concludes on April 19.

            Despite the winner’s introduction to an alien country and racing surface, the wagering public was impressed enough with Anabaa’s Creation’s credentials to bet her down to 11-10 favoritism in the field of eight.

            She returned $4.20, $3 and $2.80. Second-choice Hot n’ Dusty, ridden by Alex Solis, paid $4.20 and $3. Spinning Yarns, who finished another 2 ½ lengths back with Alonso Quinonez aboard, paid $3.40 to show.

            Prior to her stateside debut, the victorious 5-year-old mare had been competitive with some of the top fillies and mares in Europe. As a 3-year-old in 2007, she finished a close fourth in the Group I French Oaks. At 4 last year, Anabaa’s Creation hit the board in a pair of Group III events in France.

            She had been working very well over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride track in preparation for Thursday’s unveiling, so Prestonwood and Canani apparently have surface options for the striking bay mare while mapping out future plans.

            The victory on Thursday was worth $33,600 which increased the career earnings of Anabaa’s Creation to $264,366 from an overall record of 3-1-4 in 13 starts.

            Santa Anita offers free admission on Friday along with free box seats on a first-come, first-served basis when presenting an eight-race program that begins at 1 p.m. In the highly successful promotion for Friday afternoons, hot dogs, sodas, beers, popcorn and coffee are priced at $1.

HIGH RESOLVE IS CLEARLY THE ONE TO CATCH IN SUNDAY’S LAS FLORES

            ARCADIA, Calif. (April 2, 2009) – High Resolve clearly will be the one to catch Sunday among seven fillies and mares entered in Santa Anita’s 57^th running of the Grade III, $100,000 Las Flores Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs, as evidenced by the fact trainer Greg Gilchrist’s gray filly has been overhauled but three times in a 10-race career.

            But Foxy Danseur, who ran down the Northern California-based speedster in Oak Tree’s $110,000 Cascapedia Stakes last October at Santa Anita, is in the lineup, and she may be accorded favoritism.

            High Resolve, who will be ridden by Russell Baze and break from the rail, has been ultra consistent throughout her career while earning $426,270 from a 7-2-1 record for the Estate of Harry J. Aleo. She appears to have caught a relatively paceless field, and, if unchallenged early, will benefit immensely.

            When Foxy Danseur overtook her in the Cascapedia, High Resolve was deprived of the early lead for the only time in her career after breaking on top. Foxy Danseur rallied to beat her by a length.

High Resolve has something else to prove. A handy wire-to-wire winner of the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at Gulfstream Park in her last start, she has yet to win over a synthetic surface such as Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride track. She has two second-place finishes from as many starts over synthetics.

            Joel Rosario rides Foxy Danseur, a 4-year-old Mr. Greeley filly trained by Christopher Paasch who has posted a 4-5-1 record in 16 starts for earnings of $303,714. But Foxy Danseur faltered in her last start when upset by Sweet August Moon as the 2-1 favorite in the $100,000 Honest Lady Stakes on March 7.

            Sweet August Moon will have Aaron Gryder in the saddle as she seeks an encore of her 9-1 score in the Honest Lady for trainer Brian Koriner. The 4-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon brings a 4-1-1 record from 10 starts into the Las Flores while having earned $178,102.

            All three are evenly weighted at 118 pounds as is the

5-year-old mare Coco Belle in the contentious field. Coco Belle, who chased Foxy Danseur the last three times they met, will be ridden by Mike Smith. Trained by John Sadler, the Storm Boot homebred is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss. Coco Belle has banked $364,913 with a record of 5-3-8 in 20 starts.

            The complete field for the Las Flores Handicap, with jockeys and weights in post position order: High Resolve, Russell Baze, 118; Sweet August Moon, Aaron Gryder, 118; Petite Cherie, Rafael Bejarano, 114; Ashley’s Kitty, Michael Baze, 115; Foxy Danseur, Joel Rosario, 118; Coco Belle, Mike Smith, 118, and Starry Pursuit, Joseph Talamo, 115.

            The Las Flores is scheduled as the eighth-race on a nine-race program with first post at 12:30 p.m. The entire card will be televised by HRTV

Posted Thursday, April 2, 2009 12:01 a.m. EDT

STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1^ST, 2009

THE PAMPLEMOUSSE, PIONEEROF THE NILE FAVORED IN SANTA ANITA DERBY

            On a picturesque Southern California Wednesday morning replete with blue skies, sunshine and balmy temperatures, The Pamplemousse and Pioneerof the Nile were installed close first and second choices for Saturday’s Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, a race that has all the earmarks of a heavyweight championship match.

            The Pamplemousse was made the 9-5 favorite by oddsmaker Jeff Tufts, who listed Pioneerof the Nile at 2-1 in a field of 10 sophomores that hope to use the West Coast’s marquee race for 3-year-olds as a steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

            The field for the 72nd Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on Pro-Ride, scheduled as the sixth race with a 2:45 p.m. post time: Chocolate Candy, Joel Rosario, 6-1; Z Day, Aaron Gryder, 15-1; Unbridled Roman, Tyler Baze, 30-1; Pioneerof the Nile, Garrett Gomez, 2-1; Mr. Hot Stuff, Corey Nakatani, 8-1; Feisty Suances, Victor Espinoza, 15-1; Take the Points, Christopher DeCarlo, 10-1; Cape Truth, Michael Baze, 30-1; Gallant Son, Rafael Bejarano, 15-1; and The Pamplemousse, Alex Solis, 9-5.

NBC will televise the race from 2 to 3 p.m.

            The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof the Nile and third choice Chocolate Candy each had their final blowouts Tuesday on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride. The Pamplemousse went three furlongs under regular rider Solis in :34.80; Pioneerof the Nile went four furlongs under former jockey Joey Steiner in :47.60; and Chocolate Candy went four furlongs under Joel Rosario in :48.60.

            “The work was really good,” said Solis, who also is up again this year for election to racing’s Hall of Fame. “He was nice and relaxed.”

            Asked if there was undue pressure riding the favorite, the veteran of more than 25 years in the saddle was comfortable with his position. “I’ve handled pressure all these years, so if I don’t know how to deal with it, I’ll never learn,” he said. “That’s the best part of it, actually, having the pressure of riding the favorite. I’d rather be on a 6-5 than 65-1.”

            Julio Canani, trainer of The Pamplemousse, endured the good-natured slings and arrows tossed at the post position draw breakfast at Clockers’ Corner. “It feels good to do something I do every day,” said Canani, typically antsy before the large April Fool’s Day crowd. “If I run a $10,000 claimer or a Breeders’ Cup horse, I get nervous.” Asked about drawing the No. 10 post position, Canani said: “I won two Breeders’ Cup races from No. 12, so it doesn’t mean anything.”

            Bob Baffert said his charge, Pioneerof the Nile, “is coming up to a big race. We’ve already punched our ticket to the big dance (Kentucky Derby, referring to graded earnings), so we’re comfortable with that. This is not a two-horse race. Chocolate Candy is a good horse, and so is Mr. Hot Stuff. We’re taking this very seriously.”

            Added Gomez, who rides Pioneerof the Nile: “He’s very versatile . . . If you watch his races, he’s come from all over the place (to win), and that’s one of his assets.”

In other Santa Anita Derby news: Dan Ward, assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, said Chocolate Candy was coming into the race “perfect. It will be ideal to have some pace to run at.”

Feisty Suances, 15-1 on the morning line, worked four furlongs under Victor Espinoza on Santa Anita’s training track Wednesday in :48.40 for Darrell Vienna. “He worked really well,” the trainer said.

Mike McCarthy, assistant to Todd Pletcher, said Take the Points was “not definite to run. We’ll take a look at the race over the next few days. Our first alternative, should we scratch, would be the Blue Grass Stakes (April 11 at Keeneland).”

            First post time for the 11-race program Saturday is 12 noon. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday’s local weather forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s.

PASAR SILBANO STRETCHES OUT IN SATURDAY’S PROVIDENCIA

            Pasar Silbano will race beyond seven furlongs for the first time when she goes in the Grade II Providencia Stakes at one mile on turf next Saturday.

The Irish-bred daughter of the Danzig stallion Elnadim is coming off a one and three-quarter length victory in the Grade III La Habra Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf on Feb. 1. Prior to that, she was seventh in the restricted Moccasin Stakes on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track last Nov. 16.

            “A mile is the furthest she’s ever run, but I think she’ll relax,” said Jim Cassidy, who trains Pasar Silbano for Three Chimneys Racing, LLC. “I didn’t have her for her first race in the U.S. I got her after the Moccasin. She’s a nice filly, and the only horse I’ve got for Three Chimneys.”

Mike Smith rode Pasar Silbano in her two U.S. starts, but rides Stardom Bound in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland next Saturday, so Joel Rosario has the mount.

The field for the 29^th Providencia, for 3-year-old fillies: African Skies, Corey Nakatani; Acting Lady, Victor Espinoza; Air Fair, Alex Solis; Will O Way, Michael Baze; Pasar Silbano, Joel Rosario; Pride Dancer, Garrett Gomez; Mrs Kipling, David Flores; Fastongrass, Brice Blanc; Oui Say Oui, Alonso Quinonez; Burg Berg, Tyler Baze; and Rosy Mantle, Rafael Bejarano.

Pasar Silbano worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s firm turf course Sunday in a bullet 1:00.40.

TRAINER RICHARD MATLOW DEAD AT 66 OF ALS

Long-time California based trainer Richard Matlow succumbed to the effects of Amytrophic Lateral Schlerosis (ALS) late Monday at his home in Monrovia at the age of 66. Best known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the Hall of Fame New York Yankee slugger who contracted the disease and retired as a result of it in 1939, ALS is a neurodegenerative disease which attacks the body’s central nervous system.

            Matlow, who was diagnosed with ALS in February of 2008, and who announced his retirement because of the disease on Jan. 29, sent out his final starter on that same day at Santa Anita.

            A native of Los Angeles, Matlow was born on May 28, 1942, and was a licensed trainer in California since 1968, dealing mostly with lower-level allowance horses and claiming stock. Greatly respected for his honesty and horsemanship, Matlow was regarded as an outstanding trainer who operated very successfully in a low-key manner.

            His lone graded stakes win came just this past Nov. 23, when Jack o’ Lantern took the Grade III Hollywood Preview Stakes under Isaias Enriquez, returning $41.80 to win.

            “He’s a great trainer, a great friend and a very, very nice person,” said Enriquez on Jan. 30.  “We’ve been together for the last four years. He let me ride everything. We had good times together.”

            Fellow trainer Gary Lewis knew Matlow for 30 years. “He was a top trainer who always took his time with his horses,” said Lewis. “Any time they had a little problem, he’d send them out to the ranch for as long as they needed.  He was a real horseman and he always gave his horses a chance to develop.

            “It’s really amazing he lasted as long as he did with his disease. It was misdiagnosed a couple of times and he really suffered.  In 30 years, I never heard him complain or knock anyone. He was just a first class guy,” he added.

“We were friends for over 40 years, and I was with him Sunday night, but it’s still kind of shocking,” said  fellow trainer Art Sherman.

“God taking him was a blessing,” said agent Bob Meldahl, who has been in the business for 32 years and who booked Enriquez on many of Matlow’s horses. “Richard was suffering. One thing Isaias was happy about was winning the Hollywood Prevue for Richard with Jack o’ Lantern. It was the first graded stakes Matlow ever won, and he had been in the business a long time. He was a very good trainer, and a fine man.”

            Matlow is survived by his son, Andrew, 25, his mother, Florence Farell (cq), brother, Stephen, sister, Candace Farrell and his former wife, Patricia. At Matlow’s request, there will be no funeral services.

FINISH LINES: Spenditallbaby was euthanized Monday after a courageous battle trying to survive from career-ending sesamoid injuries suffered after the Sunshine Millions Distaff on Jan. 24. “She made it for two and a half months, but she had some complications,” trainer Barry Abrams said Wednesday. “The bone couldn’t support the screws anymore . . . It was just a matter of days before she would be in a lot of pain, so it was the best thing to do. We had no alternative.”  Spenditallbaby, a 5-year-old daughter of Unusual Heat, won five races and $469,173 from 32 starts . . . Jon Lindo, Thoroughbred owner and co-host of Thoroughbred Los Angeles on radio station 830AM Saturdays, will be Jerry Antonucci’s guest at Saturday’s Today’s Racing Digest seminar, 10:30 a.m., in the East Paddock Gardens . . . Two participants remained alive in Santa Anita’s popular on line handicapping contest, ShowVivor II, going into Wednesday’s races. On Sunday, each selected favored Ale’s Pride, who won the sixth race.