OAK TREE : Suivi Might Find Turf Success a Difficult Act to Follow Sunday

Less than five months ago, Suivi was a maiden, having finished second twice and fifth in her first three starts.

But since trainer Randy Winick introduced her to the turf in June, she has three victories in four starts and is a neck away from being unbeaten on the surface.

Set for the toughest race of her career, the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon on Sunday, the 3-year-old Diesis filly could earn an Eclipse Award with an upset of Flawlessly in the 1 1/4-mile race.

In a division without a standout, Suivi’s credentials would be worthy if she beats Flawlessly, who probably will be an odds-on favorite. The Yellow Ribbon would be Suivi’s second stakes victory--she won the Del Mar Oaks--and, with better luck, she would have had another. The Kentucky-bred barely came up short in the Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 24.

“I hadn’t really thought about (the possibility of an Eclipse), but (racing secretary) Tom Knust mentioned it the other day,” Winick said. “Nobody has really been a standout (among 3-year-old fillies) and if she were to beat older mares, I’d have to think she would have a legitimate shot.”

A 4-year-old daughter of Affirmed, Flawlessly was the runner-up in the 1991 Yellow Ribbon, one of only two defeats in 10 races on the turf. She suffered the other three weeks ago when she was beaten by three-quarters of a length at 1-2 odds by Super Staff, who will be racing again Sunday.

That defeat and the absence of defending champion Kostroma because of a lung infection helped Winick and owners Mr. and Mrs. Cubby Broccoli decide to enter the Yellow Ribbon.

“With Kostroma not running, the race is one major horse lighter,” Winick said. “Flawlessly got beat last time out and I’m not sure she’s 100%. I saw her work (Tuesday) and it didn’t impress me that much.

“Suivi worked (five furlongs in 59 3/5 Wednesday morning) and both Alex Solis and I thought it was a sensational work. She really did it pretty effortlessly.”

Coming back in 15 days after returning from Kentucky might be a concern to some, but Winick said Suivi has shown no ill effects.

“I don’t usually recommend coming back that soon, but she was freshened for two months before that race,” he said. “She’s an improving filly, she’s fresh, so I thought, ‘Why not take a shot?’ She seems to love this turf course. She worked really well over it before we went to Kentucky.”

Suivi’s fate in the Queen Elizabeth was basically sealed when she drew post No. 10. Caught very wide the entire distance, she was beaten by longshot Captive Miss.

“In my estimation, she was best,” Winick said. “If she had had a better post and a little luck, she would have won. It was a solid group of horses, and she ran a heck of a race.”

Besides Flawlessly, Suivi and Super Staff, others entered in the Grade I are Campagnarde, Rosefinch, Marble Maiden, Polemic, Fantastic Ways and Urban Sea.

Charmonnier, seeking to win the $250,000 California Cup Classic for the second consecutive year, is the 2-1 favorite on the morning line for today’s race at 1 1/8 miles.

The Classic will be one of nine California Cup races and will be the eighth on the program.

A 28-1 upsetter over Best Pal last year, Charmonnier provided Bob Baffert with his third victory of Cal Cup II. But owner Robert Walter wanted his own trainer, and Noble Hay III now has the 4-year-old Batonnier gelding. Winless since the Cal Cup, Charmonnier has been third in his last two starts, beaten by half a length by Bolulight in the Longacres Mile, then finishing behind Reign Road and Sir Beaufort in the Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Del Mar on Sept. 13. Gary Stevens will ride.

The 3-1 second choice is Flying Continental, the oldest and richest horse in the race. The 6-year-old son of Flying Paster has earned nearly $1.7 million.

It will be his first race in California since he ran ninth in the San Bernardino Handicap on April 4. In Kentucky, he won four of seven races. Jorge Velasquez will ride the 122-pound high weight.

The other Classic starters are Mystery’s Edge (Pat Valenzuela), June’s Reward (Eddie Delahoussaye), Run On The Bank (Kent Desormeaux), Flytorio (Chris McCarron), Fax News (Corey Nakatani), Big Pal (Ron Warren), Bullet Points (Alex Solis), Never Round (Ray Sibille), Prospect For Four (David Flores), and Habastar (Martin Pedroza).

Paul Atkinson was off his mounts Friday after being involved in a spill during Thursday’s seventh race.

Although he was kept overnight at Arcadia Methodist Hospital for observation, Atkinson suffered only cuts and bruises. His mount, Golden Cap, fell on the far turn when she stumbled but didn’t appear seriously injured.

Horse Racing Notes

Best Pal has returned to trainer Gary Jones’ barn at Hollywood Park. The 4-year-old gelding, who hasn’t been racing since May because of an injury, has been in light training for the last three weeks at owner John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona. Best Pal will be pointed toward the 1993 Santa Anita Handicap. . . . Also back in training is Bertrando, who hasn’t run since finishing second to A.P. Indy in the Santa Anita Derby. Now in Bobby Frankel’s barn, Bertrando is being readied for the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, opening day at Santa Anita.

The other morning line favorites in the Cal Cup races are: Southern Truce, 8-5 in the Distaff Starter; His Legacy, 2-1, Starter Handicap; Gundaghia, 5-2, Sprint; the entry of Bel’s Starlet and Splendid Dream, 4-5, Distaff; Moscow Changes, 2-1, Juvenile; the entry of Lovely Habit and Bel Darling, 3-1, Matron; Blaze O’Brien, 8-5, Mile, and Medici Bells, 7-2, Juvenile Fillies. . . . Corey Nakatani, disqualified aboard Pop Up Belle in the fifth race Thursday, was given a five-day suspension, beginning Monday.