Persianlux and Baze Seize Opportunity

There were those who believed the defection of Bienamado from Saturday’s $250,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap made it anybody’s race. They were prophetic.

Persianlux, a 27-1 shot who could have been claimed for $50,000 about three months ago, led every step of the way in the Grade II race at Santa Anita, then survived a stewards’ inquiry to give jockey Tyler Baze the biggest victory of his career.

Owned by a partnership that includes trainer Wally Dollase, Gary Margolis, Keith Green and Randy Lowe, Persianlux rebounded from a last-place finish at 40-1 in the Jan. 20 San Marcos Handicap--a race won by Bienamado, who is bound for the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap.

A 5-year-old English bred gelding, Persianlux had five lengths on 9-1 shot Devon Deputy and completed the 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:27 3/5. It was his third victory in four starts at the distance and gave him six wins in 17 starts overall.

The inquiry sign was posted because of an incident on the far turn. Falcon Flight, who wound up third, had to steady while in tight along the rail. After reviewing the films, the stewards ruled that the trouble wasn’t enough to warrant a disqualification.

“They gave me the lead, so I took it,” said Baze, who at 18 became the youngest rider to win a graded stakes at Santa Anita since Pat Valenzuela, then 17, won the 1980 Santa Anita Derby on Codex.

Eddie Delahoussaye, who rode Falcon Flight, thought the stewards could have made a change.

“I’m a half-length in there [inside Persianlux] and he just floated over,” Delahoussaye said. “I had a shot to get in there and I got in there. I’m not saying I would have beaten the winner, but it took away my horse’s chances of beating him.”

Dollase, who earned his first victory of the meet, indicated Persianlux will make his next start in the $250,000 San Luis Rey Handicap on March 11.

*

Looking to rebound from a failure at 3-5 in the Santa Monica Handicap three weeks ago, Surfside is the 8-5 favorite in the $200,000 Santa Maria Handicap today at Santa Anita.

Trained by Wayne Lukas for Bill Young’s Overbrook Farm, the 4-year-old Seattle Slew filly is expected to try the boys in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap provided she does what she is supposed to do this afternoon.

A winner of eight of 14 in her career, Surfside is hoping the rain stays away and the track remains fast. She will be seeking her fourth win in six tries at Santa Anita and her fifth Grade I victory.

Completing the field are Feverish, Speaking Of Time, Follow The Money, Cookin Vickie, Lovellon, Critikola and Miss Of Wales. Follow The Money, Miss Of Wales and Speaking Of Time were also entered in Monday’s $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap.

Notes

The upset by Persianlux in the San Luis Obispo was the biggest in the race since Hakuchikara paid $91.40 in 1959. . . . Warren’s Whistle, the 17-10 favorite, rallied from last to win the $108,100 Boo La Boo Stakes at Santa Anita. Gary Stevens rode the winner, a 3-year-old daughter of Wolf Power, for trainer Mel Stute. She completed the six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 in beating 4-1 third choice Comedy Class by 2 1/2 lengths. . . . Keepscratching failed in his quest to become the first four-time winner of the Santa Anita meet. He finished third as the odds-on favorite in the first race. . . . Jockey Martin Pedroza is listed as day to day after being involved in a spill near the wire in Friday’s eighth race. Pedroza, who escaped with bumps and bruises, didn’t ride Saturday, but is named on three horses today.