Mabees Show That They Have Golden Touch

Nearly everything went right for owners John and Betty Mabee Sunday at Santa Anita.

The people behind Golden Eagle Farm started four horses. The first, Dramatic Gold, ran second in his first race since since Dec. 22, 1996. The other three won, though, with the victories coming in varying ways.

Prosperous Bid, a debuting 3-year-old half-brother to Best Pal, ran to his advance billing, crushing maidens in a time of 1:09. A race later, another promising 3-year-old, Moonlight Elegance, survived a stewards’ inquiry to win as the odds-on favorite--his second victory in as many starts.

The Mabees capped their day in the eighth race with an assist from stewards Ingrid Fermin, Pete Pedersen and Tom Ward.

Fleet Lady crossed under the wire second, beaten by a half-length, in the El Encino Stakes but was awarded the victory when I Ain’t Bluffing was disqualified from first and placed third for alleged interference against third-place finisher Minister’s Melody on the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race.

The 11-10 choice in the field of six 4-year-old fillies, I Ain’t Bluffing could have been the first horse to win both the La Brea and El Encino since Mitterand in 1985. It also would have been her sixth victory in her last seven races for trainer Ron Ellis and owners Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel.

Instead, Fleet Lady, the 5-2 second choice and arguably the third-best filly in this race, became a graded stakes winner and earned $96,840 with her eighth victory in 16 outings.

“There was a constant drift [inward] by [jockey Eddie Delahoussaye on I Ain’t Bluffing] and he definitely came over on [Alzora, who wound up last] and forced her into [Minister’s Melody’s] path and caused her to lose her position,� Ward said.

The decision was greeted by a loud chorus of boos by many in the crowd of 14,260.

Delahoussaye didn’t think the blame for the problems on the first turn should have solely gone to him.

“Going into the first turn, [Alex Solis on Alzora] hollers at me, so I grab my filly and naturally she switches leads right when she comes into the turn,� he said. “I got her out and [Solis] continued in. I’m not saying my filly didn’t cause a little interference, but I think Alex’s horse caused most of it.�

Without trouble, Minister’s Melody, the 5-2 third choice ridden by Corey Nakatani, may have won the race, as she wound up only a nose behind Fleet Lady.

“I clipped heels and was taken out of the position I had,� Nakatani said. “It cost me the win, but [the stewards] did what they had to do. When something like that happens, horses will run shy the rest of the way.�

Fleet Lady’s tainted victory completed a north-south stakes double for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. He remained at Golden Gate Fields to saddle Clover Hunter, who romped under Russell Baze in winning the $200,000 Golden Gate Derby on a sloppy surface. Real Quiet, the even-money favorite and winner of the Hollywood Futurity last month, finished last.

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There was a good reason Gold N Lace was scratched from the first race.

The 3-year-old Strike The Gold filly got loose about 6:30 a.m. and took off on a journey of more than a mile around the track grounds and on the nearby streets of Arcadia--with trainer Walter Greenman and, at one point, 10 Arcadia police cars in pursuit--before she got tired and was corralled on one of the many cul-de-sacs that neighbor the track. According to Greenman, Gold N Lace, the 5-2 morning line favorite in the race for $40,000 maiden fillies, was fine after her adventure.

Claimed for $35,000 by owners Tony Busching and Donald Reals on Dec. 11 at Hollywood Park, Gold N Lace had been with trainer Chuck Jenda at Golden Gate Fields before being sent to Greenman.