Saint’s Honor Surfaces With Win on Dirt

Saturday’s $317,000 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes was a dirt race, but the result underscored that arcane handicapping ploy: When in doubt, bet the horse with the best grass record.

That would be Saint’s Honor, whose grass career is on hold after a come-from-behind victory that produced a $50.60 win mutuel. It was the biggest $2 payoff in the race since Variety Road returned $50.80 for his win in 1987.

“He had a strong race on turf, and he’s bred for grass,” said Craig Dollase, trainer for Saint’s Honor, “but for this much money and a chance to run against other 4-year-olds, we decided to take a shot.”

Saint’s Honor, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, profited from a wide trip while some of the contenders were caught in close quarters in a roughly run race. Cat Thief, the 3-2 favorite, finished second under Pat Day, after bumping General Challenge on the far turn, forcing Chris McCarron to steady his mount. General Challenge, last year’s Santa Anita Derby winner, finished fourth in the seven-horse field. The margin for Saint’s Honor over Cat Thief was 1 1/2 lengths, with Mr. Broad Blade, at 36-1 the longest price, missing second money by a head.

The three stewards lit the inquiry sign to review the Cat Thief-General Challenge incident, but ruled that Straight Man, who was outside both horses, was responsible for the squeeze.

Bob Baffert, who trains General Challenge and Straight Man, thought Day was responsible.

“He muscled us out of our spot,” Baffert said. “Pat Day wasn’t very religious this time.”

Saint’s Honor, bought as an unraced 2-year-old for $220,000, races for Stephan Herold of Paradise Valley, Ariz. A son of St. Jovite and Luck Too, Saint’s Honor began his career last year on dirt, but in the Arkansas Derby, his audition for the Kentucky Derby, he injured his left knee and finished last.

After surgery, Saint’s Honor didn’t return to action until the fall, when Dollase switched him to grass. At Hollywood Park, Saint’s Honor was a close second to Spinelessjellyfish, a minor stakes winner an hour before the San Fernando, and on Dec. 11 Dollase’s horse won by four lengths at 1 1/16 miles, the same distance as Saturday’s race.

Leaving the winner’s circle, Dollase looked at the payoffs on the infield tote board and shuddered. Saint’s Honor had been 12-1 on the morning line.

“I thought he might go off at 8-1 or 10-1, something like that,” Dollase said. “But they pounded the two favorites [Cat Thief and General Challenge]. I had my usual $2 across the board. I’m not a big bettor. I don’t like to jinx myself.”

Corey Nakatani had been riding Saint’s Honor, but he was committed to Cliquot, who finished fifth after vying with Straight Man for the lead. Desormeaux worked Saint’s Honor once before his last start.

“It seems like I was the only one that didn’t get banged around,” Desormeaux said. “I was able to get a nice, comfortable spot. A lot was going on around me, and this horse was in cruise. Turning for home, when I pushed the button, the answer was there.”

Wally Dollase, Craig’s father, won the San Fernando with Helmsman in 1996. Saint’s Honor, timed in 1:41 4/5, earned $190,200 for his third win in eight starts. Many of the same horses, including Saint’s Honor, will be back for the $500,000 Strub Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 5.

Horse Racing Notes

Laffit Pincay, who broke Bill Shoemaker’s record when he won his 8,834th race at Hollywood Park on Dec. 10, was honored Saturday in a winner’s-circle ceremony after the fifth race. Harmodio Arias, under secretary of foreign relations for Panama, where Pincay was born, presented the jockey with a medallion which is the highest honor a civilian can receive from that country. It was the second time Pincay has received the honor. Also in attendance were Shoemaker and Fred Hooper, 102, the horse owner who gave Pincay his start in the U.S. . . . Irish Nip, who gave Pincay win No. 8,834, finished last under Brice Blanc Saturday. Blanc had given up the mount so Pincay could ride Irish Nip on Dec. 10. . . . New Advantage, a badly beaten fourth in the Norfolk in October, has found a niche in Northern California. Running for John and Betty Mabee, he won the $150,000 Golden Gate Derby. . . . Mike Smith, who has won more than 3,800 races, is the winner of this year’s George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. . . . Budroyale is the 7-5 morning-line favorite for today’s San Pasqual Handicap. As the 5-2 second choice, Six Below will be making only his third start and his first in a stake.