SANTA ANITA : Dirt Is No Problem for In Excess

Gary Stevens was confident In Excess would handle the dirt. And so was trainer Bruce Jackson heading into the $218,800 San Fernando Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita.

Bettors didn’t share their enthusiasm, causing Stevens and Jackson to wonder about their sanity when they met in the paddock.

“Bruce looked and saw we were 18-1 (at the time) and said, ‘Are we crazy or what?’ ” Stevens said.

Hardly. Jockey and trainer couldn’t have been more correct.

Making his first start on the main track, In Excess never looked like a loser in the Grade II forerunner to the Charles H. Strub Stakes.

In Excess was closest to pacesetter Restless Con for five furlongs and then the 4-year-old Siberian Express colt and 126-pound co-highweight opened up heading into the stretch and cruised home four lengths in front of 2-1 favorite Warcraft.

In completing the 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record 1:46 3/5, In Excess, who finally went off at 11-1, reminded many of another San Fernando winner. Interco was equally impressive winning the 1984 running in his debut on dirt.

A winner six times in 12 turf starts, including three stakes victories, owner Jack Munari’s Irish-bred looks even more effective on the main track. This makes him the one to beat in the $500,000 Strub Feb. 10 and a definite contender in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap a month later.

“Almost all of his works are on the dirt,” Stevens said. “I think he’s only worked a couple of times on the turf since he’s been in this country.

“His (running) action is much better on the dirt than it is on the turf. He’s more confident. On grass, he’s a little more timid.

“He’s got real good acceleration when you ask him. When he won on the turf (the San Gabriel Handicap Dec. 31) it was a little soft and he wasn’t extending himself. When I asked him today, he dropped his head and really leveled.”

The big concern with grass horses switching surfaces for the first time is how they will react to having dirt thrown back at them.

Stevens never had to fret about this Saturday. He was second, on the outside of Restless Con, immediately. “I knew I’d be close to the lead, but I didn’t know if I’d be first, second, third or fourth,” Stevens said. “I had him behind horses in the morning, so I wasn’t worried about dirt hitting him in the face.

“He’s really settled and developed in the last month and a half. Nothing seems to stir him up during a race.”

Despite In Excess’ performance, Jackson said he doesn’t think he is the best 4-year-old in his barn.

“I still think Jovial is better, if he comes back to himself,” he said, even though the Cinema Handicap and Swaps Stakes winner was eighth in his 1991 debut last Thursday. “That race may do him some good.

“I thought (In Excess) was better on dirt than turf. He’s worked much better on it and it hasn’t bothered him. He’s worked behind horses and got dirt kicked in his face and it didn’t seem to bother him.”

Seeking his third consecutive victory, Warcraft finished almost three lengths ahead of Belmont Stakes winner Go And Go.

“He ran super,” Chris McCarron said of the runner-up. “The winner was just too awesome.”

Malibu Stakes winner Pleasant Tap, the 3-1 second choice, finished fifth after a less-than-ideal journey.

“It was horrible,” Alex Solis said. “I got shut off leaving the gate and on the first turn Silver Ending took me way to the outside. Then, I had to go wide around horses again on the second turn. It’s hard to run well with a trip like that.”

Stormy But Valid, whose 1991 debut was put on hold because of a muddy track two weeks ago, will try to defend her title in the $158,300 Santa Monica Handicap today at Santa Anita.

A 5-year-old Valid Appeal mare, Stormy But Valid was scratched by trainer Brian Mayberry a couple of hours before the Las Flores Handicap Jan. 5. Idle since winning an allowance race Dec. 2 at Hollywood Park, she beat Survive by a head in the seven-furlong Santa Monica a year ago.

Survive is one of six opponents scheduled to challenge Stormy But Valid in today’s Grade I event, along with Las Flores winner Classic Value, Devil’s Orchid, Fit To Scout, Island Jamboree and Sexy Slew.

Sam Who, a multiple-stakes winner who is in the midst of a 14-race losing streak, was claimed for $100,000 out of Saturday’s fifth race by trainer Bill Spawr for owner Carlton F. Sell.

A 6-year-old Lypheor gelding, Sam Who’s best year was 1989. He won six of 12 starts and earned $288,100. The claim was the second largest in Santa Anita history. The late Honor Medal was taken for $110,000 April 11, 1986.

Horse Racing Notes

In Excess paid $24.20 to win and earned $128,800. . . . My Boy Adam, the longest shot in the field at 28-1, was fourth in the San Fernando, then came Pleasant Tap, Bedeviled, Silver Ending, Restless Con, Defensive Play. . . . There is a three-day carryover in the Pick Six of $488,700.42 and only three tickets had five winners Saturday. . . . Gary Stevens won two other races Saturday aboard favorites High Energy in the third and Boots in the fourth. . . . The old San Fernando Stakes record of 1:46 4/5 was set by First Back in 1975.