DEL MAR : Gosden’s World Is Far Different, but He Remains a Popular Winner

Del Mar always meant good times to John Gosden. The English trainer with the very American attitude spent 10 summers at the seaside track before returning to Britain in 1989. He left behind scores of friends and grateful horseplayers who admired Gosden’s way with European imports.

In addition to his enthusiastic support of the social circuit during the Del Mar season, Gosden made his mark by winning the training title there in 1985. He won the Del Mar Handicap three times, the 1983 San Diego Handicap with subsequent champion Bates Motel, and the 1987 Eddie Read Handicap with Sharrood, owned by his current employer, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Dubai.

Gosden lives in a far different world these days. He traded in his No. 15 sunscreen and well-worn espadrilles for the tweeds and down vest of a Newmarket trainer. During the height of the British season, he finds himself traveling almost constantly, either by car or small plane, ranging far and wide from his home base in Suffolk.

It should be no surprise, however, that Gosden has picked up right where he left off in California. Through last weekend, the 39-year-old Cambridge graduate ranked 17th in 1990 purse earnings with about $400,000. And with 39 victories in 165 starts, his 24% winning rate was fifth-best in England.

The Gosden stable is led by the unbeaten 2-year-old filly Chicarica, who has won two stakes, and the 3-year-old colt Anshan, who finished third last May in the 2,000 Guineas, the first leg of the English Triple Crown.

“Chicarica is considered the leading 2-year-old filly there right now,� Gosden said earlier this week while on a brief visit to Saratoga for the yearling sales.

“Of course, it’s still very early in the season, and who knows what may turn up later in the year? Right now, she’s done the equivalent of winning the Landaluce at Hollywood or the Debutante at Del Mar. Things change by the time you get to the Oak Leaf and the Breeders’ Cup.�

According to observers of the British racing scene, Gosden has provided a fresh breath of candor to an otherwise insulated and suffocatingly traditional racing community. During his California career, Gosden thrived in the informal climate and spoke up often on owner-trainer issues. At the same time, he was valued by track management for his level-headed advice behind the scenes.

“He’s given people something to think about over here,� said Julian Muscat, deputy editor of a British racing weekly. “Just recently, he was quite critical over a disqualification and the appeal process regarding a horse he ran at Ascot.�

The race in question featured amateur women riders only, a regular attraction in England and France.

“My jockey just briefly crossed over on another horse leaving the stalls (starting gate) and caused one to check a little bit,� Gosden explained.

“For some reason, the stewards decided to throw the whole Bible at her, holding her to standards higher than they require of the professional jockeys there. It was slightly mystifying.�

Gosden also had a confrontation with the English Jockey Club over a ruling involving Steve Cauthen, which served to heighten the trainer’s 6-foot-3 stature even more.

“Well, you know the press over here like to sensationalize everything,� Gosden said. “Two racing papers are competing daily. Every other paper has at least two and sometimes three racing pages. When someone disagrees with the Jockey Club over something, they really like to wind things up.

“So my name got a little involved there for a while. Perhaps I should keep quiet for a bit, lest they suggest I go back ‘home’. But that’s life. Sometimes you’ve got to stand up and be counted.�

News of the American racing scene rarely makes a ripple in the British press. Gosden said, however, that controversial conclusions surrounding the University of Pennsylvania study on the bleeder medication made plenty of English headlines. The British racing press always has been critical of American medication rules.

“Next to that, poor Chris’ accident was a big story over there,� said Gosden, referring to the June 3 spill in which Chris McCarron broke both legs and an arm.

“The fact that he said he’d be back at all earned everyone’s admiration for his courage,� Gosden added.

McCarron should be back in the saddle in time to hook up with Gosden at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting in October. The trainer plans to send Anshan to California for the Volante Handicap, then perhaps stay over for a try in the Burke Handicap at the end of the meet.

After winning the ’87 Eddie Read Handicap with Sharrood, Gosden sent the colt to Chicago for the Arlington Million. Sharrood finished second to the eventual grass champion, Manila.

Three of the top contenders in Sunday’s Eddie Read at Del Mar are being aimed for this year’s Million on Sept. 2--Golden Pheasant, Classic Fame and Saratoga Passage, winner of the 1989 Eddie Read.

Usually coming two or three weeks before the Million, the Eddie Read is a well-placed steppingstone for the Arlington event. But the fact remains that no horse ever has won both stakes. Sharrood, beaten by 1 1/2 lengths by Manila, came closest.

At one point, losing the Eddie Read actually seemed to be the key to the Million. The Bart was an uninspired fourth in the 1981 running at Del Mar, but in Chicago he came within a nose of upsetting John Henry. Perrault was third in the 1982 Eddie Read, then won the Million in course-record time.

Recently, however, such classy Eddie Read winners as Al Mamoon, Tsunami Slew and Deputy Governor have been beaten badly in the Million. Del Mar racing secretary Tom Robbins looked hard but could not find a trend.

Robbins was more concerned about the horses that are absent from the Eddie Read this time around--those almost certain to turn up at Arlington on Sept. 2.

Prized, who has not run since March, is training well but not quite ready, according to trainer Neil Drysdale. Steinlen, who will defend his 1989 Million title, is in Saratoga to run in the $75,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap Sunday. The Eddie Read purse, incidentally, is $250,000.

Horse Racing Notes

A delayed broadcast of Sunday’s Eddie Read Handicap will be part of a 90-minute special on Prime Ticket at 9 p.m. Sunday. Trevor Denman will be the host of the show from the Del Mar sales pavilion, with the annual auction of yearlings serving as a backdrop.