HOLLYWOOD PARK : Add Exchange to Spawr’s List of Good Claims

Trainer Bill Spawr has made several good claims over the years--Sensational Star and Restage to name two--and Exchange looks as if she belongs near the top of the list.

Taken by Spawr for owner Sidney Craig for $50,000 on May 2, the 3-year-old Explodent filly almost earned her purchase price back Saturday with a victory in the $82,600 Allez France Handicap.

Unbeaten in two starts for Craig Lewis when she was claimed, Exchange has four victories in eight appearances for Spawr, and she has certainly found a home on the grass.

The Candian-bred filly has won four of six on the grass while displaying versatility. After coming from slightly off the pace in her other three victories, Exchange led every step of the Allez France.

Ridden by Laffit Pincay--who has won three of the last four grass stakes at Hollywood Park--the 5-1 third choice beat 10-1 shot Gold Fleece by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:40 4/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Satin Flower, the 2-1 favorite, was a neck behind in third, and Lady Isis, the 7-2 second choice in her American debut, was fifth, but she broke through the gate before the start, broke slowly and was very rank.

“We claimed this horse because she had some pedigree and she had won from behind,” Spawr said. “Mr. Craig was game to try a young horse on our judgment, so give him the credit. I’ve claimed a lot of horses for him that haven’t done very well so far, but this is going to make up the difference. I’ve got a couple (others) that I’ve claimed for him that will do well, though.

“She just continues to improve, and we don’t know where it’s going to end up. She has a wide foot, a grass foot, and she’s doing very well on the grass, but I don’t think it has to be grass with her. I think (her improvement) is that her mental attitude is changing, and I want to try to get her through the 4-year-old series (the La Canada series at Santa Anita). We’ll nominate and see what happens.

“Laffit really likes her because she does things so easily. He said today she was playing with ‘em.”

This attitude had Pincay a bit worried. “Most of the way, she just kept waiting, waiting and waiting for horses. Even in the stretch, I just kept hollering at her because she was just waiting for the horse next to her. But, it was a good race for her.”

Satin Flower, who was sixth against males in a division of the Hollywood Derby in her previous start, didn’t have any excuses, according to Chris McCarron.

“She had every chance in the world,” her rider said. “(Track announcer) Trevor (Denman) made it sound like I had a lot more horse than I did. She didn’t quicken at all. She was staggering to be third.”

The race before the Allez France, Sacramentada was impressive in her U.S. debut, easily winning the $60,000 Sangue Handicap.

Purchased by Hollywood Park chief executive officer R.D. Hubbard after winning 10 of 16 in South America, the 5-year-old Northair mare exploded when room developed and won by 3 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Richard Mandella and ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, Sacramentada ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 3/5 and paid $5.80 as the 9-5 second choice. Favored Luna Elegante was second and Venturilla third.

Second to Black Tie Affair in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in his last start, Twilight Agenda is the 3-5 morning line favorite for today’s $100,000 Native Diver Handicap.

This will be the 11th start since June 21 for the 5-year-old Devil’s Bag horse, who really came into his own after he was moved to the main track by trainer Wayne Lukas.

Twilight Agenda, who will carry 124 pounds in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver, is unbeaten in two starts on the Hollywood Park dirt. He won an overnight handicap by two lengths June 29, then returned two weeks later and defeated Timebank in the Bel Air Handicap. Chris McCarron, who has ridden the horse in his last two starts, has the mount.

The other starters are Ibero, who has won his last two for Ron McAnally; Stalwart Charger, who easily handled a weak field at Bay Meadows Nov. 16; Defensive Play and Cobra Classic.

Quest For Fame, who will make his California debut in next Sunday’s $500,000 Hollywood Turf Cup, worked a mile in 1:42 3/5 Saturday morning.

Now trained by Bobby Frankel, Quest For Fame ran third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, finishing behind Miss Alleged and Itsallgreektome, who will also start in the Turf Cup.

“He impressed me,” said Gary Stevens, who was aboard for the workout. “I don’t know how he knew where the stretch was, because he’s never run here, but he really picked it up a lot.”

Horse Racing Notes

Kent Desormeaux rode three winners Saturday: Sport Grip, Pinochle and Rolling Donut. Eddie Delahoussaye and Pat Valenzuela are tied for the lead in the jockey’s race with 20 victories apiece.