Lundy’s Liability Shows Assets

The last horse to win the San Antonio Handicap and the Santa Anita Handicap in the same year was Free House, in 1999.

Lundy’s Liability is the only thoroughbred with a chance to complete the feat this year after his 1 1/2 -length victory over 7-2 third choice Truly A Judge and seven others in the $250,000 San Antonio at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Making his first start since Nov. 26, when he finished sixth in a nine-horse field in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs, the 5-year-old Candy Stripes horse and 3-1 favorite saved ground throughout, slipped through along the rail on the far turn to engage the pacesetting Truly A Judge, and went on to prevail in 1:49.05 for the 1 1/8 miles.

Owned by Mary Slack and Gonzalo Torrealba’s Stud T N T and trained by Bobby Frankel, who won the Grade II for the first time since Marquetry came home first in 1993, Lundy’s Liability is now two for two at Santa Anita under jockey David Flores. On Oct. 2, the Brazil-bred won the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap by a head in his U.S. debut at the same distance. Lundy’s Liability has now won five of eight and has earned $1,703,930.

“He must like this track,” Flores said. “In Kentucky, it was kind of a little weird. I ended up on the lead without wanting to be that day. Today, there was a good pace and I just laid in a position where I was comfortable.

“He picked it up really well at the quarter pole. On the middle of the turn, I just put him on the rail and he went on.”

Truly A Judge, seeking his fourth consecutive win and second stakes victory of the meet, was a no-excuse second, a length in front of 3-1 second choice Congrats. Completing the order of finish were Skukuza, Total Impact -- who has lost six in a row since his upset in the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 10 -- Asong For Billy, Star Cross, Epicentre and Go Bob, who suffered a leg injury on the first turn and had to be taken off the track by van.

“He ran well today,” said Martin Pedroza, the rider of the runner-up, who set a comfortable pace, 23.32, 47.12 and 1:11.04 for six furlongs. “I’m very pleased. I just wish there was something I could have done early. But there’s always next time.”

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Roman Ruler, who hasn’t run since finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park, worked six furlongs in 1:11 2/5 from the gate Sunday prepping for the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes.

A Grade II at seven furlongs, the San Vicente, which will be run for the 64th time Sunday, isn’t expected to have a large field. Only three others -- Kirkendahl, Pavo and Consolidator -- are considered probable.

Owned by Fog City Stable and trained by Bob Baffert, Roman Ruler will be ridden for the first time by Jerry Bailey.

“He looked like the Roman Ruler of old,” Baffert said. “He went very right, and I liked what I saw. I’m very happy with him, and he’s right on target.”

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Jockey Alex Solis picked up his first win since returning from an injury when first-time starter Indian Flare won Sunday’s second race. The 3-year-old daughter of Cherokee Run is owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Frankel.