SANTA ANITA : Jones Will Enter Quiet American

Quiet American will be entered today in Saturday’s $1-million Santa Anita Handicap, and trainer Gary Jones’ intention is to run the son of Fappiano against Farma Way and others in the Grade I race.

There has been widespread speculation that Quiet American, who disappointed as the favorite in the San Pasqual Handicap in his last start, was going to miss the Big ‘Cap because of an allergy problem.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Jones indicated last year’s NYRA Mile winner will be in the starting gate, barring any setbacks.

“A couple of works back, he didn’t work right,” Jones said. “But Chris (McCarron) came and worked him the other day and he went well, and his 1:13 work (Feb. 16) was good.

“We fight allergies with him all the time. If he doesn’t act real good the next couple of days, we could scratch him. I think he’s as good a horse as there is in America.”

Among those likely to be entered this morning besides Farma Way are In Excess, Flying Continental, My Boy Adam, Defensive Play, Anshan, Pleasant Tap, Louis Cyphre, Festin and Silver Ending. The latter would run only in the event of more rain.

Understandably, his victory aboard Winning Colors in the 1988 Kentucky Derby was Gary Stevens’ biggest thrill in racing.

Right alongside, however, is his victory in last year’s Santa Anita Handicap aboard Ruhlmann, who went wire-to-wire at nearly 23-1.

“Those are the two most special races I’ve ever won,” he said. “The Big ‘Cap had special significance for me because it was my first win in a $1-million race. When I was growing up and when I first started riding in Southern California, the races you wanted to win (locally) are the Big ‘Cap, the Santa Anita Derby and the San Juan Capistrano.

“You look at the names of the horses and jockeys who have won and you’d like to put your name alongside them in history.”

Back-to-back victories in Santa Anita’s richest race is a distinct possibility for Stevens. He will ride Farma Way, who will be the favorite Saturday.

Unbeaten in four starts at the meeting, including victories in the San Carlos, San Pasqual and San Antonio Handicaps, Farma Way will be trying 1 1/4 miles for the first time.

“I’m like everyone else in that I really don’t know,” said Stevens, when asked about the Marfa colt’s ability to handle the distance.

“All I have to go on is his past performances. His last two races were very encouraging to me. He rated kindly last time and that gives me another option in the race. Plus, I like the way he finished.

“He’s so push-button and very versatile. I’ll let the pace dictate the way I ride the race. I feel confident he’ll relax. (Trainer) Wayne (Lukas) knows what it takes to get a horse to go 1 1/4 miles. I’m riding for the right guy.”

River Warden, a well-bet failure throughout most of his career in the United States, held off favored Mashkour to win the $80,850 San Marino Handicap Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Victorious in only one of his previous 13 starts, the 5-year-old Riverman horse took the lead with a little more than two furlongs to run under Jose Santos, then held the 4-5 choice at bay by three-quarters of a length in 2:28 3/5 for the 1 1/2 miles.

Originally scheduled for the turf, the San Marino was switched to the dirt and the field was reduced to six starters. Deliorman, Louve Bleue, Intelligently, First Rate and Hecquet were scratched.

This was only the second main track start for River Warden, the 8-5 second choice who raced coupled with third-place finisher Dream Of Fame. Last Oct. 7, he finished sixth, beaten by eight lengths, in an allowance race won by his stablemate Warcraft.

“We finally won one with him,” trainer Charlie Whittingham said. “I figured he’d like the dirt because he’s trained on it fine. Maybe, that’s where he belongs after all.

“I don’t know what we’ll do with him next. We’ll just see what comes up next.”

Mashkour, who was making his first start on dirt, was seven lengths ahead of Dream Of Fame, who was followed by Parador, Capel Meister and Novelty.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Stevens celebrated his 28th birthday Wednesday with two victories. He won the seventh aboard Number’s Game and the ninth on Venturilla. . . . Jockey Danny Sorenson turned 33. . . . Flying Continental, who appeared out of the Big ‘Cap a week ago when he cut himself in a stable mishap, worked a half-mile in 47 seconds Wednesday morning for trainer Jay Robbins. In Excess went the same distance in 47 2/5.

The $150,000 Arcadia Handicap, the co-feature Saturday, could have a full field of 12. Probables for the mile turf race are Blaze O’Brien, Somethingdifferent, Pharisien, Tanker Port, The Medic, Elegant Bargain, Now Listen, Trebizond, Balla Cove, Exclusive Partner, Bedeviled and Madjaristan. . . . David Flores had three winners: Puerta D’Oro in the second, Friedlander in the fourth and Bright Candles in the fifth.