HOLLYWOOD PARK : Natural Nine Rolls to Victory in Slow Silver Screen Handicap

Before Natural Nine worked seven furlongs in 1:24 2/5 June 22, trainer Lewis Cenicola planned on bringing the 3-year-old colt back in an allowance race.

After that exercise, Cenicola decided to nominate the lightly-raced son of Mogambo to the Silver Screen Handicap, the prep for the July 25 Swaps Stakes.

It turned out to be a wise move. With A.P. Indy, Bertrando and Casual Lies absent, Natural Nine, in his first start since March 15, didn’t have much to beat in the Silver Screen. Nor did he have to run particularly fast.

Kept wide by Laffit Pincay while being outrun early, the 5-2 favorite overpowered 24-1 shot Prospect For Four in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Owned by the Southern Nevada Racing Stables of John Elardi, who owns the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Natural Nine ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 2/5. The final time was the second slowest in the 14-year history of the Silver Screen.

“He came up to the race well and it looked like the right spot to run,” Cenicola said after the colt’s third victory in six starts.

“We had to take a chip out of his ankle after his maiden win at Del Mar (Sept. 2). We brought him back in an allowance race at Santa Anita and he lost, then he won the Bradbury. The day after the San Felipe (in which he finished fourth), he got sick. He was in his stall for 15 days. His blood count shot way up and we couldn’t do anything with him.”

Pincay, who rode four winners Sunday, replaced David Flores on Natural Nine after he worked him June 22.

“Laffit came and worked him that day and liked the way he moved,” Cenicola said. “Laffit fits a horse like this. This horse is a little lazy and you have to really get into him. He’s still a little green. He’ll run in spots. He’ll lose interest, then start running again. I think if I can keep him going, keep him sound, with a little maturity, he might be a better horse than he is right now.”

Prospect For Four, who broke his maiden for $32,000 last summer at Del Mar, took a length lead with a furlong to run, and while he proved no match for Natural Nine, wound up a length in front of 7-1 shot Never Round. Capote Magique, the 5-2 second choice, was fourth, then came Fax News, Vying Victor, Big Pal and Caviar ‘N Dreams.

Jockey Pat Valenzuela was off his mounts again, still recovering from a Friday night spill which claimed the lives of two horses.

“He’s doing well,” said Jeff Franklin, Valenzuela’s agent. “He’s about 70% to ride (Monday) and, if not, he’s 100% to ride Wednesday.”

Valenzuela suffered a bruised rib cage in the accident and was hospitalized overnight for observation.

Horse Racing Notes

Natural Nine’s victory was worth $95,500 and he paid $7. . . . Beaten a nose by C. Sam Maggio in the 1991 Khaled Handicap, Blaze O’Brien turned the tables. Ridden by Gary Stevens, 5-year-old Interco gelding surged ahead in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths over C. Sam Maggio and three others in the $61,000 race. The 4-5 favorite paid $3.60 and completed the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40 4/5.

Ziggy’s Act, trained by Daniel Smithwick and ridden by Gary Boulanger, won the $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park by 4 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Danzig filly paid $15.80. . . . Laffit Pincay’s other victories Sunday came aboard Cafe West, Siberian Summer and Snow Perch. . . . Ray Kravagna, Gary Stevens’ former agent, will handle the book of Jose Velez Jr. when that rider comes here from Florida.

Soft And Tender, a 6-year-old making his first start ever, suffered a broken right knee shortly after crossing the finish line last in the third race Sunday. The son of Raise A Man had to be destroyed. Jockey Christine Davenport, thrown when the horse broke down, had the wind knocked out of her, but was otherwise uninjured.