SANTA ANITA : Mild-Mannered Sir Beaufort Wields Plenty of Punch Again

There is almost nothing that Sir Beaufort can’t do these days.

At 6, the gray son of Pleasant Colony has proved himself capable at nearly any distance on nearly any track.

The former bad actor at the starting gate is also a perfect gentleman now.

Before winning the $107,900 San Carlos Handicap by five lengths at Santa Anita on Saturday, Sir Beaufort didn’t hesitate for an instant before walking into the gate.

In a field reduced by the scratches of Individualist, Arrowtown and Slerp, Sir Beaufort was third off the pace being set by Cardmania and Letthebighossroll, then took command when asked by Chris McCarron and went on to win in 1:22 1/5 for the seven furlongs over a track labeled sloppy.

It was the second consecutive victory for the 2-1 second choice, who raced coupled with Excavate. Sir Beaufort has won nine of 29 starts, twice in three starts on wet surfaces.

Successful in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver in his previous start, Sir Beaufort will try that distance again in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap on Feb. 14, the final prep for the Santa Anita Handicap.

“He’s OK in the gate now,” trainer Charlie Whittingham said after his first victory of the 12-day old meeting. “Schooling and time have helped him overcome his problems. I got better as I got older, too.

“The Pleasant Colonys get better with age. Look at that horse (Pleasant Tap) Chris Speckert had.”

McCarron, who has been aboard Sir Beaufort when he was on his worst behavior, had no complaints Saturday.

“He ran super,” McCarron said. “When he’s got his mind on running, he can get the job done. He didn’t give us as hard a time going into the gate as he usually does. I think the fact he was going seven furlongs today confused him slightly because he didn’t have to walk up in front of the stands. He did everything right and ran his race.”

Cardmania was second, a half-length ahead of Excavate, who had a half-length on Answer Do, the even-money favorite.

Answer Do was making only his second start on an off track, and his connections had been uncertain all week on whether or not to run him. One unidentified gambler was certain, betting $70,000 to win on the 7-year-old gelding. This wager made Answer Do 1-9 in the early stages of the betting.

“I was sitting behind the leaders a couple of lengths and I thought I had a lot of horse,” said Pat Valenzuela, who replaced the suspended Eddie Delahoussaye on Answer Do.

“Then, I started to let him run and he seemed like he was losing his footing around the turn.

“I couldn’t keep up when Sir Beaufort went by me. I tried to go up behind him and get to the outside, but I couldn’t even do that. I think the footing today really bothered him.”

In what would be her first start since finishing third in Saratoga’s Alabama on Aug. 15, Pacific Squall is the 2-1 favorite for the $110,900 El Encino Stakes today at Santa Anita.

However, with more rain forecast, trainer Paco Gonzalez probably will scratch the 4-year-old Storm Bird filly.

“There will be many more races for her, so why take a chance?,” he said. “She’s had a quarter crack, and I don’t think it makes too much sense to run her over an off track. She’s 100%. If we race (today) or not, she’ll have many more chances.”

If Pacific Squall is scratched, Magical Maiden will be the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile El Encino, the second leg of the La Canada series. Fifth in the seven-furlong La Brea Stakes, Magical Maiden will be more comfortable at today’s distance and already has proved herself in the mud. The Lord Avie filly won the Linda Vista Handicap by five lengths last Oct. 9 over this track. Gary Stevens will again ride for trainer Warren Stute.

Others entered in the El Encino are Certam De May, Interactive, the Wayne Lukas entry of Terre Haute and Secretly, Autumn Mood, La Spia and Avian Assembly.

A daughter of General Assembly, Avian Assembly is the only filly in the race who won her last start. In fact, she is working on a three-race winning streak. She won the Arundel Handicap by nine lengths at Laurel on Nov. 22, then came back less than three weeks later and won an allowance by 7 1/2 lengths.

Kent Desormeaux, who suffered a severe head injury Dec. 11 at Hollywood Park, said Saturday he will probably start exercising horses Tuesday morning at Santa Anita in preparation for a return to the races on Friday.

Injured when kicked in the head by Cartagena Slew after being unseated by the since-retired Judge Hammer, Desormeaux was at Santa Anita on Friday and saw Best Pal work six furlongs in 1:12 3/5.

Itsallgreektome, whose racing career is probably over, will undergo surgery today in Santa Ynez.

The 6-year-old gelding, who was injured in his stall, will have bone fragments removed from a knee, while at the same time undergoing surgery on his withers and having a broken tooth repaired.

“The good thing is he’ll only have to undergo anesthesia once,” trainer Wally Dollase said.

“I don’t know if he’ll ever race again. If he doesn’t, we’ll make sure he’s comfortable for the rest of his life.”

Horse Racing Notes

Anjiz was fifth in the San Carlos and Letthebighossroll last, 20 1/2 lengths behind Sir Beaufort. Sir Beaufort paid $6.40 and earned $62,900 for owner Victoria Calantoni. . . . Trainer Bob Hess Jr. decided to scratch Slerp Saturday because the 4-year-old has been bothered by a quarter crack and he didn’t want to run him in the mud. Slerp is expected to return in the $55,000 Reb’s Policy at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf on Jan. 23. . . . Provins, who was recently gelded, came from far back to win the $100,000 William P. Kyne Handicap at Bay Meadows. Favored Charts was second and His Legacy third in the Kyne, which was simulcast at Santa Anita. Russell Baze rode Provins, who completed the 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in 1:47 4/5. . . . Corey Black, David Flores and Gary Stevens each won twice at Santa Anita.