SANTA ANITA : Best Pal and Dinard Are Olympio’s Top Challengers in San Fernando

Nine 4-year-olds are scheduled to start in today’s $220,000 San Fernando Stakes, the middle leg of the Charles H. Strub Series.

Only three of them, however, have a realistic chance to win--Olympio, Dinard and Best Pal. Charmonnier has improved, but he won’t be getting the weight break he has in his last two races.

Because of his victory in the opening-day Malibu Stakes, Olympio is the only one with a shot at sweeping the series, which concludes with the $500,000 Charles H. Strub Stakes on Feb. 9. Precisionist, in 1985, was the last of five horses that have swept the series.

Originally believed by many to be simply a sprinter, Olympio has been productive at just about any distance and on any surface. He finished 1991 with seven victories in 11 starts and was off the board only once, finishing fourth in the Preakness.

Seeking his third consecutive victory--he won a division of the Hollywood Derby on turf before winning the seven-furlong Malibu--the 4-year-old Naskra colt worked half a mile in 46 4/5 Thursday morning for trainer Ron McAnally. Eddie Delahoussaye, who has ridden Olympio in all but one of his 15 starts, again will be aboard for the 1 1/8-mile San Fernando. He’ll share high weight with Best Pal.

Second in his first start on turf in a division of the Citation Handicap, Best Pal has been right there without winning in his last three tries at Santa Anita.

He was third, beaten by half a length by Dinard in the San Rafael Handicap last March, was second, again by half a length, to Dinard in the Santa Anita Derby, then was beaten by a head at 2-5 by Charmonnier in the California Cup Classic Nov. 9.

“I expect my horse to run very well,” said trainer Gary Jones, who’s Habitony gelding has finished first or second in four of five starts since he replaced Ian Jory. “I couldn’t have asked for a better work (59 1/5 Wednesday morning) and he’s coming up to the race perfectly.

“Dinard is a tough horse and he should improve after the Malibu, but Olympio is the one I fear. And Charmonnier proved he’s for real.”

Dispatched at 28-1 when he defeated Best Pal in the Cal Cup Classic, Charmonnier was only a neck behind Olympio in the Malibu at 12-1.

His price will be shorter today, but he’ll be carrying 120 pounds. He had a 12-pound advantage (124-112) when he surprised Best Pal and he was getting six (126-120) from Olympio three weeks ago.

Dinard is the one who figures to improve the most. The gelded son of Strawberry Road was making his first start since winning the Santa Anita Derby in the Malibu. He was beaten by 2 1/4 lengths but didn’t have a particularly clean trip. He’ll also race with Lasix for the first time.

“I wasn’t disappointed in his first race back,” said Pat Valenzuela, who recently signed a lucrative contract to ride for owner Allen Paulson. “He was trapped inside. He’s been working well since then and he benefited from the race. He’s going to be tough in the San Fernando.”

The other starters in the Grade II are Multiengine, who was sixth in the Malibu; Reign Road, second in an allowance race on New Year’s Day; Dominion Gold, who will be making his first start on dirt; Quintana, who was beaten by five lengths at 9-5 in a Bay Meadows allowance race Jan. 8, and Choice Is Clear.

Olympio is the morning line favorite in the San Fernando and McAnally will also saddle the probable choice in Sunday’s $163,200-Santa Monica Handicap at seven furlongs.

Brought To Mind, who will be making her first start since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, won the La Brea Stakes at this distance here in 1990, then went on to sweep Hollywood Park’s three-race series for older fillies and mares--the Hawthorne, Milady and Vanity.

Valenzuela will ride the Ruthie’s Native mare, who has a good work pattern for McAnally. She went six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 Dec. 23 at Hollywood Park.

Others entered, from the rail out, include Spirited Susan, Mama Simba, Southern Tradition, Remarkably Easy, Suziqcute, Ifyoucouldseemenow, D’Or Ruckus, Avant’s Gold, Sky Darter and Laramie Moon.

Horse Racing Notes

Entries will be taken this morning for Monday’s feature, the $150,000 San Marcos Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Probable starters are Fly Till Dawn, Super May, Classic Fame, French Seventyfive, Lord Charmer and El Zorzal. Charlie Whittingham said Golden Pheasant, who hasn’t started since his upset in the Japan Cup, is “50-50” for the race. . . . Majlood, who was impressive winning a race down the hillside on opening day Dec. 26, had to be destroyed after breaking down during a turf workout Thursday. The $2.1-million yearling broke a sesamoid in his right foreleg.

Magical Maiden, the Hollywood Starlet winner, tops a field of six in the $150,000 Bay Meadows Oaks, which will be simulcast today at Santa Anita. Gary Stevens will go north to ride Magical Maiden for trainer Warren Stute. Luv Me Luv Me Not, Society Doll, Queens Court Queen, Ashland Rose and King’s Consort complete the lineup for the Oaks, which is run at 1 1/16 miles.