The Prime Minister Gets Victory After Erroneous Dead-Heat Call

Stewards gave The Prime Minister the victory over favored Marquetry after an inadvertent dead-heat call Saturday in the $264,800 Goodwood Handicap at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting.

The Prime Minister, with Chris McCarron aboard, set the pace from the start. Marquetry, under David Flores, raced second in the field of six, but started his final drive a split-second late. Another stride and he would have won.

The photo showed less than an inch separating the two at the wire. Stewards studied the photo for seven minutes before the announcement of a dead heat. Less than a minute later came the correction, followed by jeers from spectators.

Senior steward Pete Pedersen said the announcement of a dead heat was simply a mixup between the stewards and track announcer Trevor Denman.

“Six people were involved (in the call) and all six agreed on the winner,” he said. “On the phone the word ‘dead heat’ inadvertently slipped out to Trevor. It was not a fault of Trevor’s. The mistake was corrected immediately. We have a conference line to mutuels, placing judges and Trevor. It was a human error.”

“I think it’s the first time in the history of racing that’s happened,” McCarron said.

The Prime Minister, trained by Charlie Whittingham, had won just three allowances, the richest a $50,000 race at Del Mar on Aug. 5.

This time he went the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 and returned $6.60, $3.60 and $3 as a 3-1 second betting choice. Marquetry, the even-money favorite, paid $2.40 and $2.40 while Pleasant Tap, with Laffit Pincay Jr., finished 4 1/2 lengths further back and paid $2.80.

Marquetry earlier had won the rich Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park and the New England Classic at Rockingham Park, N.H.

McCarron quickly sent the 4-year-old son of Deputy Minister to the front with Marquetry second. Flores had the favorite a length and a half behind down the back stretch, two at the far turn and 1 1/2 again as they turned into the stretch.

Victory brought $152,300 for The Prime Minister, who had won $104,700 previously. It was his fifth victory in eight starts.

He is co-owned by Mary Jones Bradley of Santa Monica, Calif., Nancy Ann Chandler of Dallas and Fred Seitz of Versailles, Ky.

The Prime Minister carried 115 pounds, four less than the favorite.

Before the final race of the day, Flores was slightly injured when his mount, Gumpher, reared in the gate. The jockey was released after emergency treatment.