SANTA ANITA : Fran’s Lass Gives Sadler Another Golden Memory, and a Stakes Sweep

John Sadler has a new, self-proclaimed title these days.

The trainer called himself “King of the California-breds” Wednesday after Fran’s Lass completed a California Breeders’ Champion Stakes sweep for the stable. Ten days earlier, El Atroz won the male counterpart of the seven-furlong race in an $88.40 upset.

“Seeing how (Bob) Baffert borrowed my ‘King of the Sprinters (title),’ I guess I’m King of the California-breds,” Sadler said after Fran’s Lass opened a large lead, then held on to beat Booklore by a half-length in 1:25 4/5 on a sloppy track.

Incindress, the California Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, would have been the heavy favorite Wednesday, but trainer Bruce Jackson didn’t want the 3-year-old filly to make her first start in two months on an off track, so she was scratched.

In her absence, Fran’s Lass was the lukewarm 3-1 choice, and the daughter of Shanekite didn’t waste any time leaving her nine rivals.

Under Pat Valenzuela and racing without blinkers for the first time since her debut on Sept. 17 at Fairplex Park, Fran’s Lass took a three-length lead with a 22 1/5 quarter-mile, extended the margin to five after a 45 2/5 half-mile and was still five in front after a 1:11 2/5 six furlongs.

Although laboring at the end, she managed to hold on through a 14 2/5 final eighth of a mile for her second victory in six starts for owner Ted Aroney’s Halo Farms.

“John had this filly really fit,” Valenzuela said. “When I looked at the (Daily Racing) Form, it seemed like there really wasn’t that much speed. She broke really well and I could tell she liked the slop, so I just let her go.

“I figured we’d be in front, but I didn’t think we’d be all alone. She was kind of tired in the stretch, but she got there, and that’s what counts.”

Booklore, a maiden, figured to improve in the mud since she’s a full sister to Arp and out of the mare Fashion Book, who moved way up when racing on off tracks.

“When you come from behind, you need luck,” said Corey Black, who rode the runner-up. “(Booklore) really got to running when I got after her with the left hand, and four more jumps and we would have won it.

“Of course, the race was seven furlongs . . . not seven furlongs and four jumps. The way she galloped out, though, was really something. She must have been 20 lengths in front at the seven-eighths pole and she was running even stronger than in the race.”

Baja Belle, coupled with Booklore in the betting, was third; then came Borneastermorn, Fast Cruiser, Going Out Dancin, Malojen, Peak At The Moon, Mangia Mangia and Short Temper.

Entries were taken Wednesday morning for Friday’s races, and Kent Desormeaux’s name was conspicuous by its absence.

Injured in a Dec. 11 accident at Hollywood Park, Desormeaux had planned to begin riding again Friday, but his comeback has been put on hold. Now, it appears that the nation’s leading rider in 1992 won’t return until next week.

Gene Short, Desormeaux’s agent, said the jockey, who suffered multiple skull fractures when dumped by his mount, Judge Hammer, will probably wait until the rain lets up and the track dries out.

There is a remote possibility, Short said, that Desormeaux could ride The Wicked North onSaturday in the $200,000 San Fernando Stakes, the second leg of the Charles H. Strub Series.

“I’d say it’s very doubtful, but he could ride that one horse on Saturday,” Short said. “Although The Wicked North may not run if the track is muddy. We don’t have to worry because either way we’ll get the horse back.” Corey Nakatani rode The Wicked North for the first time in the opening-day Malibu Stakes, finishing second to Star of the Crop.

Desormeaux was supposed to work horses Tuesday and Wednesday, but those plans have also been put on hold. “I had every intention to get on some horses when I came here today, but I decided not to take any chances,” Desormeaux said Tuesday. “The track is knee-deep in mud.”

Although Desormeaux hasn’t worked at the track, Short said he has been doing some riding, adding: “He’s been on horseback for a couple of weeks. He keeps a horse and he’s been doing some trail riding.

“According to the doctor, he’s ready. All the cracks have healed.”

Paseana won’t defend her title in the San Gorgonio Handicap on Sunday, even if the $100,000 race is switched to the main track from the turf.

“She missed a couple of works,” trainer Ron McAnally said of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and probable Eclipse Award winner. “With the track like it is because of the rain, I couldn’t take a chance with her. She loves the mud, but there will be other opportunities for her.”

Paseana, who has won 13 of her 19 starts, will probably make her 1993 debut in the Santa Maria Handicap on Feb. 6.

Horse Racing Notes

Best Pal, who could return to action in the San Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 24, worked six furlongs in 1:14 1/5 Wednesday morning at Hollywood Park. . . . Magical Maiden, who finished third in last Sunday’s El Encino Stakes, injured her left shoulder in the race and X-rays were taken. . . . Trainer Bob Baffert turned 40 Wednesday. . . . Kostroma, scheduled to make her final start in the San Gorgonio, worked six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 Tuesday morning. She will run on Sunday only if the race stays on turf, which seems unlikely.