SANTA ANITA : Grass Is Greener: Saros Brig a Winner Again

There’s extra incentive for Pat Valenzuela when he rides Saros Brig.

The 6-year-old mare belongs to Earl Scheib and the jockey has a special affection for the owner.

“He’s like a second father to me,” said Valenzuela. “I love the man. He calls me at home and he cares about me.”

Rider and owner also have a certain fondness for Saros Brig, who has certainly found a home on the turf.

Trained by Dominick Manzi, the California-bred mare made it three consecutive victories and four in her past five starts in the $209,300 Santa Anita Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap Sunday.

The 8-5 favorite led wire to wire, as she had in her three previous races--the Dahlia, Buena Vista and Golden Poppy. She beat Run To Jenny by a half-length in a rapid 1:33 1/5 for the mile, but fast times have become common on the Santa Anita turf course in the waning days of the meeting.

This was the seventh victory in 12 starts on the grass for Saros Brig, who has won only four of 32 on the main track.

“She’s just at the top of her game right now,” said Manzi. “She’s doing everything that’s asked of her. She came back from the race at Golden Gate (the Golden Poppy March 31) in good shape. This is about as close together as we’ve run her.”

Saros Brig ran quick fractions--:22 3/5, :45 3/5 and 1:09 1/5--and staved off the late bid of Run To Jenny, the 5-1 fourth choice.

“She broke well and was sitting there easy,” said Valenzuela. “She was setting some good fractions, but was relaxed. She makes it tough for the other fillies.

“My filly was sitting on a comfortable lead and really responded. I thought (Run To Jenny) might have me, but when I hollered, she really responded. Dominick has done a super job with her.”

Making her stakes debut after two impressive victories against soft competition, Run To Jenny beat Fieldy, the 9-2 third choice, by a length. Another 1 1/2 lengths back was Stylish Star, the 7-2 second choice.

“Bruce (Jackson) had trained her a little different for this race,” Stevens said. “He knew some speed was going to be in here and he knew the way the turf course had been playing, so he said she was going to be a lot sharper and show more speed.

“She was a lot sharper going to the gate today and she was a lot closer. She fired, but the other filly just had too much left. At the sixteenth pole, I thought I had her. I got to (Saros Brig’s) hip, but Pat’s filly really accelerated. I’m very happy with the way she ran. A mile’s probably not her best distance.”

Fieldy got through along the rail, but could not make up ground. Stylish Star had a perfect trip chasing Saros Brig, but came up empty late. Reluctant Guest was fifth, then came Fantastic Look, Petalia and Formidable Lady.

Sunday Silence worked an easy half-mile in :50 flat Sunday morning, his third workout since he returned to training. The 1989 horse of the year underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Nov. 16 and is scheduled to make his comeback at Hollywood Park.

Lady Brunicardi, who was scratched from Saturday’s Santa Lucia Handicap, was hurt Sunday morning. “Another horse wheeled in front of her,” said trainer Vladimir Cerin, who claimed the Hail the Pirates mare, then saw her earn more than $200,000. “She has a shoulder injury. I think she’ll be saved, but her career is in jeopardy.

Bayakoa and Gorgeous will meet for the third time Wednesday, in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. The race will be simulcast at Santa Anita between the fifth and sixth races.

Music Prospector, third in the San Felipe Handicap and sixth in the Santa Anita Derby, will run in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Saturday, trainer Steve Miyadi said.