SANTA ANITA : Suspension Has Golden Lining as Desormeaux Wins Again

Any more five-day suspensions, and Kent Desormeaux might be able to retire early.

Limited to less than four minutes of work this weekend after being set down by the Santa Anita stewards, Desormeaux followed his big Saturday payday on Best Pal with a nose victory aboard Golden Treat in the $219,300 Santa Anita Oaks Sunday.

Able to ride in the Santa Anita Handicap and the Oaks because of the designated-race rule, Desormeaux earned $67,000 on what were really his days off.

Golden Treat’s narrow victory over Magical Maiden in the Grade I race also completed a memorable weekend for her owners, John and Betty Mabee, who also own Best Pal.

Victimized by poor luck in several other races, the 3-year-old Theatrical filly couldn’t have had a better trip Sunday. Showing more early pace than usual, she was pressing Queens Court Queen most of the way, got the lead approaching the final furlong and held off Magical Maiden, finishing in 1:43 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Queens Court Queen was a length behind in third, and Pleasant Stage, the 1991 Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s top 2-year-old filly, was fourth in her 1992 debut. The 19-10 favorite, she broke a step slowly and was never really in contention.

“She didn’t run bad,” jockey Eddie Delahoussaye said. “The pace was a little slow, and she broke a little slow. I think you’ll see a different filly next time.”

The Oaks was the first victory for Golden Treat since she won her debut May 15. However, she could very easily have had a couple of more victories and was definitely best when second to Crownette in the Santa Ysabel on Jan. 22.

“She’s been acting sharp all week,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “I had a feeling she’d win. We’ll certainly take a look at the Fantasy Stakes (at Oaklawn Park next month) and the Kentucky Oaks. It will depend on how she’s doing and what Mr. Mabee feels. Personally, I have stronger feelings to go to the Oaks.”

Magical Maiden, who had beaten Golden Treat by a neck in the Las Virgenes, maintained her consistency. She hasn’t been worse than third in her seven starts.

“She ran her race,” jockey Gary Stevens said. “She’s tough. She loves to run. She thinks she won. She doesn’t know she got beat. I love this filly.”

Best Pal, the first thoroughbred to win three $1-million races, came out of his 5 1/2-length victory in the Santa Anita Handicap in fine shape.

“The quarter crack never bled a drop,” trainer Gary Jones said of the injury that had cast some doubt last week about how the 4-year-old Habitony gelding would fare in the Handicap. “It bled every day until the race.”

In Excess, who faded to sixth and virtually was eased through the stretch, bled despite having been treated with Lasix, trainer Bruce Jackson said. “He’s fine. It just throws another wrinkle into the situation,” Jackson said.

While Best Pal’s status for the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap, the next leg of the American Championship Racing Series, depends on how he is weighted, Wayne Lukas confirmed that Twilight Agenda, the Big ‘Cap’s runner-up, will be in Arkansas on April 11.

The Big ‘Cap turned out to be the final race for Algenib under trainer Wallace Dollase’s care. The 5-year-old son of Oak Dancer, who finished last Saturday, has been moved to Ron McAnally’s barn.

While on the freeway Sunday morning, McAnally said he received a call on his car phone telling him the Argentine-bred had been transferred. Reportedly one of Algenib’s owners, Juan Manuel Bauer, is going to buy out his American partner, Robert Oliver.

A winner of four of 10 starts in South America, Algenib won his American debut July 13, but has lost seven in a row since. He finished second by a head to Tight Spot in the Arlington Million.

Dr. Devious, one of England’s top 3-year-olds, has been purchased by Jenny Craig, through McAnally and bloodstock agent Murray Friedlander, for $2.5 million. A winner of four of six starts, Dr. Devious was a 60th birthday present for Craig’s husband, Sidney.

A son of Irish sire Ahonoora, bred by Robert Sangster, Dr. Devious will remain in England and make his next start in the Craven Stakes on April 16 at Newmarket. He is then scheduled to be shipped to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

Mineral Wells, who went on the veterinarian’s list and hasn’t had a workout since winning the San Vicente Breeders’ Cup Stakes Feb. 9, wasn’t nominated to Sunday’s $200,000 San Felipe Stakes, the final prep for next month’s Santa Anita Derby.

“He’s body sore,” said Lukas. “I’m not sure about the Santa Anita Derby now. We might have to take a different route with him.”

A son of Mr. Prospector, Mineral Wells is unbeaten in three sprints. In his absence, Lukas will be represented by Al Sabin and Hickman Creek in the San Felipe.