SANTA ANITA : Handicapper Makes a Fast Move

So, those selections for today’s Oak Tree races at Santa Anita are seeing print, after all.

Shortly after finishing my Friday handicap for the Herald Examiner early Wednesday afternoon, I was informed that the paper had folded and Thursday’s edition would be the last.

Not only did this kill a trip to Florida to cover the Breeders’ Cup, it left me wondering about my future.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry long. Sports editor Bill Dwyre of The Times phoned less than four hours later, offering me a newly created position as horse racing handicapper and reporter.

From that moment on, everything has been a little hard to believe. It was strange to walk into a new office after spending 12 years in the same place, but it was even stranger to realize that my handicap and a story would be appearing in this paper the next day.

After struggling with a foreign computer system for hours, the handicap was completed with some historical significance. Such a feature hasn’t graced The Times in ages, and it is hoped there will be some winners included among the nine races.

If not, there’s always Saturday, Sunday and the ensuing days. No matter what, there’s a new challenge, and the potential readership has increased significantly.

The fields for Santa Anita’s card on Breeders’ Cup Day are hardly overflowing.

Saturday’s first race, which is to begin at 9:30 a.m., about 90 minutes before the Breeders’ Cup Sprint field is sent on its way, drew 15 horses, and the only other full field was for the featured Morvich Handicap, which attracted a dozen contestants. Otherwise, the largest lineup is nine.

Gary Boulanger, the newest addition to the local jockey colony, will be busy on his first day at the Oak Tree meeting.

The 21-year-old rider, who previously competed in Northern California after leading the standings at Longacres in Washington, has mounts in seven of the eight races to be offered Saturday.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that several of the big-name jockeys--specifically, Laffit Pincay, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and Eddie Delahoussaye--are in Florida, creating a lot of opportunities.

Boulanger should be able to hold his own on this circuit. Jerry Ingordo, the longtime agent for Pat Valenzuela, has taken his book, and the rider has calls for trainers such as Bobby Frankel, Willard Proctor and John Sadler.

Well-regarded by horsemen and fans who have seen him ride up north, Boulanger will ride the 5-year-old mare, Imperial Star, for Frankel in the Morvich, which is at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Imperial Star has a win and a second in two races on the unique Santa Anita hillside layout. Included was an upset victory over Down Again and eight others in the Las Cienegas Handicap last March.

Perhaps, the horse to beat in the Morvich is Patchy Groundfog, who will be making his first start since finishing second to Political Ambition in the El Rincon April 9.

The former claimer, who blossomed for Julio Canani, has been worse than third only once in his last 10 appearances. He won three of his five starts earlier this year before going on the shelf.

The 6-year-old son of Instrument Landing has some solid works for his comeback, and Fernando Toro will ride.

Others in the field include Coastal Voyage, a lightly-raced Coastal horse who upset allowance foes in his California debut; Star Cutter, back from an unsuccessful trip to Maryland; Gum, a winner over the course; the speedy Basic Rate, making his return after being away almost nine months, and the rejuvenated No Commitment, who has won his last two races against claimers.