Honorable Thing Done by Budroyale

On a day he was honored as the California-bred horse of the year for 1999, Budroyale showed he’s going to be a major force in the handicap division again this year.

Budroyale, the 2-1 third choice in the wagering, turned the tables on Dixie Dot Com--his conqueror in last month’s San Pasqual Handicap--and Cat Thief--who defeated him in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic--with a victory by just more than a length in the $300,000 San Antonio Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Budroyale, ridden by Garrett Gomez, was fourth most of the race before taking the lead in the stretch from longshot Moore’s Flat, then was never seriously menaced by 17-10 favorite Cat Thief in winning the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48 3/5--a fifth of a second faster than General Challenge went in winning the Strub Stakes onSaturday.

“It was a little sweet getting some revenge,” said Budroyale’s owner Jeffrey Sengara, referring to beating Cat Thief in the first race involving the two horses since the Breeders’ Cup Classic. “ [Budroyale] gives it everything he’s got time and time again.”

Budroyale, a 7-year-old son of Cee’s Tizzy and trained by Ted H. West, was claimed by Sengara for $50,000 nearly two years ago and has since won nine times and earned more than $2 million. He has won 18 of 46 races lifetime, with 10 of those victories coming in 19 races over the Santa Anita main track.

Budroyale’s next race is expected to be the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 4--in which he could go against General Challenge and Cat Thief. Budroyale has finished ahead of General Challenge in both of their common races.

Cat Thief, who had only one other victory besides the Classic in 12 races last year, finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Elaborate in the San Antonio, then came Moore’s Flat and Dixie Dot Com, who faded badly in the stretch as the second choice.

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Scholars Studio, a winner in two turf races after returning from a lengthy layoff for trainer Marty Jones, made a successful transition to the main track in the $200,000 La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies.

Scholars Studio went right to the front under jockey Corey Nakatani in the La Canada and kept on going to beat 4-5 favorite Smooth Player by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:49 for 1 1/8 miles. Scholars Studio did not win her four previous races on dirt.

The victory was another indication of how well things are going for Nakatani, the runaway leading jockey at a meet more than a third over. Nakatani’s preference in the La Canada was to ride The Seven Seas, who was third under Kent Desormeaux in her first start on dirt for trainer Bobby Frankel.

“I was trying to [get on The Seven Seas], so it just goes to show you that we’re not geniuses out there,” said Nakatani. “These horses will make fools of you.”

Owned by Ed Nahem’s King Edward Racing Stable, Scholars Studio paid $11.40 and became a graded stakes winner for the first time. The $120,000 for winning the Grade II La Canada pushed the daughter of Bertrando’s earnings to $197,614.

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Besides being named the California-bred horse of the year, Budroyale was also chosen as the champion older male for 1999 by the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Assn.

Other winners included: Gibson County (2-year-old), Cover Gal (2-year-old filly), General Challenge (3-year-old), Smooth Player (3-year-old filly), Enjoy The Moment (older filly and mare), Big Jag (sprinter), Native Desert (turf horse). Big Jag and Native Desert were repeat winners.

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Jockey Pat Valenzuela’s lawyer, Donald Calabria, is not optimistic about salvaging his client’s career when he meets with Santa Anita stewards at a hearing Wednesday.

“We can only hope that there’s still a crack in the door,” Calabria said after Valenzuela’s troubled career was marred Saturday by another drug positive. “But I won’t be going in there with any high hopes. I’ll be going in there with an unloaded gun.”

After he tested positive Saturday for amphetamines, Valenzuela admitted to his agent, the stewards and Calabria that he had used drugs. Valenzuela, who was attempting a comeback from previous drug problems, was a last-minute no-show for his mounts on Friday’s card and has been barred from riding pending Wednesday’s hearing. Valenzuela, after being out of racing for two years, had been riding on a conditional state license since September.

Said Calabria: “It’s just devastating. Pat was doing some good things, but this is a big blow. I feel sorry for all the people Pat’s let down--the trainers and owners who supported him . . . and others.”