SANTA ANITA : Stevens Makes Right Choice, Guides Icy Eyes to Victory in La Centinela

Gary Stevens made the right choice in the $79,875 La Centinela Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita.

He committed himself to Icy Eyes for the restricted race after she broke her maiden Dec. 21 at Hollywood Park, even though Fantastic Kim, whom Steven had ridden to two victories, was also eligible for the La Centinela.

In a field reduced to five starters after the late scratches of Queens Court Queen and Centurn, the public also agreed with Stevens’ choice.

They made Icy Eyes the 7-5 favorite, and the 3-year-old daughter of Gate Dancer responded with a 1 1/4-length victory over Crownette in 1:37 for the mile on a track labeled good. Fantastic Kim, the 2-1 second choice and ridden by Chris McCarron in Stevens’ absence, was third, another 3 1/2 lengths back.

Confidently ridden, Icy Eyes sat behind pacesetter Green Vitamins most of the way, got the lead early in the stretch and won in her first try around two turns.

Beaten by 14 lengths in her career debut Oct. 20, Icy Eyes improved to finish second--five lengths behind Seester--about five weeks later, then really came around when paired with Stevens. She signaled her readiness before the maiden victory with two solid works, including a 45 4/5 half-mile Dec. 18.

“She got a little silly on me, so I gave her time to mature,” trainer Jack Van Berg said. “Fillies have a tendency to get wound up on you.

“She’s a half-sister to Wheatley Hall, that horse I ran in the (Kentucky) Derby a few years back (1986). I told Gary in the paddock not to worry, that she wouldn’t get tired.”

Stevens rode as though he always had things in control, as he had when Icy Eyes won last month.

“I knew she’d give me a nice kick through the stretch,” he said. “I hadn’t used her at all early. She came off the bridle real well for me. She’ll go as slow as you want. I just sat on her until the eighth pole and asked her and she rebroke.

“Jack asked me after her last race if I thought she could ‘route’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said he was planning to run her in the La Centinela and asked if I’d ride her, so I committed then. It worked out for the best because Fantastic Kim was coming back off the turf and looks like she might be a better filly on the turf.”

Fantastic Kim was four lengths ahead of Green Vitamins, and it was 21 back to Miss Turkana, who was eased late, unable to handle the track.

If the predicted storm arrives this morning, the $131,500 San Gorgonio Handicap probably will be switched from the turf to the dirt.

Should the 1 1/8-mile race be transferred, it would kill the anticipated rubber match between Flawlessly and Kostroma, neither of whom would start on the main track.

A 4-year-old daughter of Affirmed, Flawlessly is the 123-pound high weight after winning last month’s Matriarch at Hollywood Park, defeating Kostroma, who was sixth. In their previous meeting, Kostroma won the Yellow Ribbon, beating Flawlessly by two lengths.

According to Tom Robbins, Santa Anita’s vice-president-racing, the forecast is for rain to begin between 8 and 9 this morning. He said it wouldn’t take much more rain to force the San Gorgonio off a course which already has absorbed a lot of water.

A move to the main track would make Paseana a strong favorite. The 5-year-old Argentine-bred mare was very impressive winning the Silver Belles Handicap by 5 1/2 lengths Nov. 23 at Hollywood Park. She worked five furlongs in 58 seconds on New Year’s Day for trainer Ron McAnally.

If the race remains on turf, Paseana, Formidable Lady and Laura Ly are all expected to scratch. The other fillies and mares who were entered Friday morning are Colour Chart, who is scheduled to race with Lasix for the first time; Free At Last; Agirlfromars and Reluctant Guest.

Bertrando, the second-best 2-year-old seen in this country last year, is back in training for Bruce Headley.

Winner of the Del Mar Futurity and Norfolk Stakes before finishing second to Arazi in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the son of Skywalker was rested because of a hoof problem.

“We cut a big wad out of his (hoof), but he’s fine now,” said Headley. “He’s been back a couple of weeks and is doing very well.

“I’m not pointing for anything. He’s got to tell us when he’s ready. I’ve got him nominated to everything. Whether he gets there, we’ve just got to hope.”

Horse Racing Notes

Itsallgreektome, who was second to Miss Alleged in both the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Hollywood Turf Cup, heads a field of 14 set for today’s $200,000 Hialeah Turf Cup in Florida. Jorge Velasquez, who rode trainer Wally Dollase’s gelding in the Breeders’ Cup, has the mount in the 1 1/2-mile race. Itsallgreektome is the top weight of 124 pounds. . . . Forty Niner Days, the multiple-stakes winner, will be offered Tuesday at the winter mixed auction of the California Thoroughbred Sales at Del Mar. The gelding, who has earned more than $707,000, is being offered as part of a dispersal.

Big Pal handed heavily favored Run Retsina Run his first loss in the $100,000 California Juvenile Stakes Saturday at Bay Meadows, which was simulcast at Santa Anita. Owned by John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm, Big Pal was ridden by Ron Warren Jr. and paid $15.40. Run Retsina Run had been unbeaten in four starts. . . . Hector Torres, Corey Nakatani and David Flores each rode two winners Saturday.