SANTA ANITA : Southern Truce Boosts Price Tag

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was going to buy Southern Truce for one of his clients a few days ago, but the $150,000 deal for the 5-year-old mare didn’t go through.

“A (veterinarian), who shall remain nameless, said that she had a throat problem, and a heartbeat that was skipping,” trainer Roger Stein said. “That’s one vet who has egg on his face now.”

Because the sale was canceled, Stein saddled Southern Truce for her owners, Vic and Peggy Johnson of Monrovia. She beat Laura Ly by six lengths Sunday to win the $112,100 San Gorgonio Handicap, a turf race that was switched to dirt because of rain, resulting in five horses running and nine being scratched.

Southern Truce, ridden by Corey Nakatani, won her fifth in a row, earning $67,100. Stein said that the Truce Maker mare has earned about $280,000 since he claimed her for $16,000 in March of 1991.

“How many horses win five in a row?” Stein said. “I’m sure, as easily as she won today, that she’d be worth much more than $150,000 if we tried to sell her now. I’ve had some good claims over the years, but this has to be the best. And she’s been through a lot to do what she’s done. She’s had throat surgery, and she broke her foot in a freak barn accident at Hollywood Park.”

The favorite in the San Gorgonio, Re Toss, finished last. Southern Truce paid $6.60 to win, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:51 1/5.

Trainer Mike Whittingham was fined $1,000 and his horse, Last Lion, has been disqualified after running second in a race at Santa Anita on Oct. 22. Last Lion tested positive for procaine, an illegal medication that can be used as a painkiller or a stimulant.

California Horse Racing Board sources say that there might be more procaine positives reported, although stewards at Santa Anita said that they aren’t aware of any.

Last Lion’s purse, $8,400, will be redistributed.

The Wicked North, third in Saturday’s San Fernando Stakes, suffered a minor shin injury, trainer David Bernstein said.