Weekend Racing at Santa Anita : Super Diamond Makes Debut as an 8-Year-Old

Trainers might not necessarily be mathematics scholars, but any of them would know that a 125-pound assignment is better for a horse than 129. So with a four-pound break, Super Diamond, who hasn’t run in three months, will make his debut today as an 8-year-old, running against eight opponents in the $100,000 San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita.

Super Diamond, who won the Yankee Valor Handicap under 125 pounds in his last start and went over $1 million in career purses, was later given a 129-pound impost for a stake at Hollywood Park, but trainer Eddie Gregson declined.

“If you start carrying 129 pounds at this time of the year and win, then what will you be facing down the line?” Gregson said.

The major goal for Super Diamond is the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap March 6.

In the seven-furlong San Carlos, Super Diamond will be facing Zany Tactics, who won the race last year, and Epidaurus, who finished third.

Zabaleta, who had been expected to run, has been retired and will be sent to a stud farm in Australia.

Sunday, eight state-foaled 3-year-olds will run in the $125,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes at seven furlongs.

Two horses who would have been given serious consideration by bettors will not be running. Flying Victor has developed a foot infection and Mr. Game Player has a fever.

Gregson also has a contender Sunday, running Aloha Prospector. Also in the field is Drouilly’s Boy, who is undefeated in three starts, all on off tracks.

Sunday’s field, in post-position order: Reb Natural, with Sandy Hawley riding; No Commitment, Eddie Delahoussaye; Pain, Martin Pedroza; Aloha Prospector, Chris McCarron; Fab Mad, Ray Sibille; Drouilly’s Boy, Frank Olivares; Sure Swift, Jorge Velasquez, and Rullah’s Sky, Alex Solis. Reb Natural and Sure Swift carry 117 pounds, with the others getting 114.

Horse Racing Notes Angel Cordero will be out longer than expected--four or five weeks--he learned after he was examined in New York by a specialist. Cordero, injured at Santa Anita in a spill Dec. 30, has a sprained back, a torn shoulder muscle and tail bone damage. . . . Salt Dome, a starter in the 50th running of the San Carlos, won the Thanksgiving Day Handicap at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans after a seven-month layoff.

Eddie Gregson said that Super Diamond would run in the San Pasqual Handicap Jan. 31 or the San Antonio Handicap Feb. 14 as his final prep for the Santa Anita Handicap. . . . In 1987, Wayne Lukas became the first trainer since Jack Van Berg in 1976 to lead the country in both races won and purses.