Jones Has Just the ‘Trick’ for Shoemaker Field

Trainer Marty Jones won the first Grade I race of his still-young career in absentia last Sunday.

After saddling Ski Dancer for a fifth-place finish in the Just A Game at Belmont Park, he learned that Auriette had rolled to victory in the Gamely Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Jones, 24, the son of the recently retired Gary Jones, will be at Hollywood Park on Sunday, hoping to score the richest win of his life in the $700,000 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Although it wasn’t a shock to most when Auriette won, it would be a surprise if Debutant Trick reached the winner’s circle. In fact, it would be a shock if anybody but Fastness, the 4-5 favorite on the morning line, won the one-mile Shoemaker.

Still, secondary awards in $700,000 races aren’t too shabby and nobody can knock Debutant Trick’s consistency.

The 6-year-old Clever Trick gelding has been worse than third only once in his last 10 starts, winning four times. He is fresh off a victory in the Clever Song on May 26 over the same course at the same distance.

Jones inherited many horses from his father’s stable when Gary Jones retired in April and is enjoying himself.

“I was put in a real favorable position to get an opportunity to train the horses I have,” he said. “I’m trying to enjoy it all as it comes. Who knows, I may be in the prime of my career the first six months. I’m trying to have fun with this.”

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Fanjica, who made a successful 1996 debut with an impressive victory in the Yerba Buena Handicap at Golden Gate Fields last month, is the 9-5 favorite against seven opponents in the $100,000 Estrapade today at Hollywood Park.

After disappointing outings in her first two starts in this country last fall, the 4-year-old Law Society filly was freshened and responded with a 2 1/2-length victory over Nimble Mind, who also is in the Estrapade field.

The rest of the lineup for the 1 1/2-mile turf race includes Don’t Read My Lips; Golden Vale, who is also entered in a race on Sunday; Dynatar; Real Connection; Magic Feeling and Gift To The World.

Horse Racing Notes

According to a story in today’s Daily Racing Form, Cigar will next race--if all is well--in the proposed $1-million race at Arlington International. No date has been set, but it probably will be July 13 or 14. . . . The $300,000 Brooklyn Handicap, featuring Wekiva Springs, will be simulcast today at Hollywood Park from Belmont Park.