SANTA ANITA : Performance by Art Of Living Offers Food for Derby Thought

River Special, the future book favorite for the Kentucky Derby in some corners, could have an entry mate on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Considering the first Triple Crown race is more than three months away, such discussion is premature, but trainer Gary Jones and jockey Gary Stevens think Art Of Living has the potential to give John and Betty Mabee another Derby starter. The Mabees’ Golden Eagle Farm also races River Special, the Norfolk and Hollywood Futurity winner.

Making his stakes debut in only the third start, Art Of Living beat Tossofthecoin by 1 1/2 lengths in the $79,650 Santa Catalina Stakes on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Much closer to the pace than Jones expected, the Alydar colt and 4-5 favorite took the lead from Siebe around the turn, then went on to win in 1:43 2/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

“He’s an exciting colt to ride, but he’s also a bit nerve-racking,� Stevens said. “We had a good trip, but you don’t want to make the lead too early on him because he gets to playing around. He’s got a lot of natural speed, and he just pulled me to the lead.

“It’s a position he’s going to be in a lot during his career, so it’s good that he gets used to it. Gary said he’s going to open the blinkers up a bit so he can see horses coming from now on. He’s going to get over all that, though. He just needs some experience.�

Jones, who has had five winners in the last two racing days, said the best is yet to come for Art Of Living.

“Anytime you have a colt with Derby potential, and Gary thinks he has that, it’s very exciting,� Jones said. “I love the way this colt relaxed from the five-eighths pole to the three-eighths. He was doing it nice and easy, just looking and cooking.

“When he threw his ears up (in the stretch), if he didn’t hear Gary yelling to him, I guarantee you he heard me yelling. (Golden Eagle) wants to keep him and River Special apart. He’s going to go in the San Rafael (Feb. 27), and we plan to run in the San Felipe (March 14) next.

“We’re on the low road (to the Derby) and he’s on the high road. You can’t even mention this horse in the same breath as River Special yet, but I do think he’s inching closer.�

Tossofthecoin, the trailer for the first half-mile, finished second for the fourth time in six starts. He was 2 1/4 lengths better than Glowing Crown, the 2-1 second choice. Siebe was fourth and Imperial Ridge last in the field reduced by the scratches of Top Of The Moon and Crown Sterling.

“The winner had a better trip, but that’s not an excuse,� said Chris McCarron, Tossofthecoin’s rider. “We were second best. The winner was just too good.�

Kent Desormeaux, who recently returned after being sidelined six weeks because of head injuries, will be getting more time off.

The country’s leading rider in 1992 will start a five-day suspension Saturday, because of an incident aboard Best Pal in Sunday’s San Pasqual Handicap.

After crossing the wire second in his first race since May, Best Pal was disqualified and placed fifth for interfering with Excavate on the backstretch.

Successful aboard Audio and Nat’s Lea on Wednesday, Desormeaux took off his only remaining mount, Pop Up Belle in the seventh, after aggravating an injury to his right hand while winning with Nat’s Lea.

“I first hurt it when Cork (the runner-up as the favorite in Sunday’s fifth race) ran off with me,� Desormeaux said. “It tore the skin off the ring finger on my right hand.

“It was irritated today, especially since I forgot my gloves and I worked some really nice horses this morning. I’m going to doctor it up and hope to ride tomorrow. It was bleeding and sore, but I’m hoping it will be OK.�

Kostroma will leave for Kentucky next week to be bred to Forty Niner this spring, but her racing career is not necessarily over.

The 7-year-old Caerleon mare, who won the Dahlia Handicap on Dec. 24, then was scratched from the San Gorgonio in what was supposed to be her final start, might come back and race while pregnant. Jones said Kostroma’s owners have left open the possibility.

With Jolypha’s return on hold, Pacific Squall will be heavily favored in the $200,000 La Canada Stakes, one of two stakes races on Saturday’s program.

Successful in her 1993 debut in the El Encino Stakes, the 4-year-old Storm Bird filly worked a half-mile in 50 4/5 on Wednesday morning. She will going for her sixth victory in eight starts in the 1 1/8-mile La Canada.

Among those also expected to enter this morning are El Encino runner-up Avian Assembly, La Spia, Changed Tune, Interactive and Alysbelle.

Star Of The Crop, who defeated Bertrando in the opening-day Malibu Stakes, is the probable favorite in the six-furlong Palos Verdes Handicap, which will also be run Saturday.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Jones, who won with Battle Quest, Zalon and Mizter Interco on Sunday, also scored with Audio on Wednesday. . . . Eddie Delahoussaye had two winners Wednesday--favored Lady Chief in the fourth and Bless Shoe in the sixth. . . . Jockey Mickey Walls was off his mounts Wednesday because of illness. . . . Trainer Dave Hofmans turned 50 Wednesday.