SANTA ANITA : Southern Truce Provides Trainer Best Answer to Knotty Problem

There were two major upsets Sunday at Santa Anita.

Trainer Roger Stein wore a tie for the first time since his Bar Mitzvah 26 years before.

And Stein’s Southern Truce, a mare he claimed for $16,000 in early 1991, stunned Eclipse Award winner and 2-5 favorite Paseana in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Handicap.

After surrendering the lead to the defending champion and falling a half-length back, the 7-1 shot came back on and won by a head under Corey Nakatani.

Winning for the 15th time in 28 starts, Southern Truce completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 2/5 and has now earned around $500,000 for Stein and owners Vic and Peggy Johnson, both Times employees.

Paseana, who carried 125 pounds, 10 more than the winner, was nearly two lengths ahead of 26-1 shot Guiza, and wasn’t helped by the fact Chris McCarron dropped the reins in mid-stretch.

“If you’re going to ask me if it cost me the race, I have no idea,” said McCarron, who was beaten on four heavy favorites during the weekend. “(Dropping the reins) didn’t cost (Devoted Brass) the stake (San Rafael) Saturday. I figured if it worked for (Kent) Desormeaux, I’d give it a try. I’m sure the 10-pound weight swing had a lot to do with it, but that’s the way the ball bounces.”

Three weeks earlier, Southern Truce was third in the Santa Maria, beaten by slightly more than a length by Paseana, who finished second to stablemate Race The Wild Wind.

Stein thought he was running for second or third money Sunday, but Southern Truce provided him with the biggest thrill of his racing life.

“This tops it all,” said Stein, who is half the size he used to be after dropping 175 pounds. “This may never happen again, but it doesn’t have to happen again because it happened today, and that’s enough.

“If this isn’t a fan’s horse, I don’t know what is because she gives them their $2 worth every time. I’m so proud of her and that’s what this is all about. This is what I dream about, only I don’t have to dream about it anymore because I’m looking at her now and I’ll see her again (Monday).

“She’s overcome ridiculous obstacles (a throat problem and a broken hoof) to get this far. I just thank God she showed up in my barn. I’m as lucky as can be. This is like hitting the lottery. I expected to be on the freeway now (driving home), not talking to you guys.”

It even made wearing a tie, which he purchased on his way to the track, bearable.

“I wore it because I needed it to get into the director’s room and I didn’t want to wear one of the ties they’d give me. The tie isn’t bothering me now. I haven’t even thought about it for 10 minutes.”

Nakatani is confident whenever he rides Southern Truce and Sunday was no different.

“She’s as game as they come,” he said. “Both these mares are real game. Paseana never quit running and my mare just kept on trying and trying. It was a little bit different today (than in the Santa Maria). We were on the outside and Paseana was on the inside.

“My mare didn’t switch leads until real late and I think that was the difference. It was unbelievable.”

Alysbelle, the 5-1 second choice and upsetter of Pacific Squall in the La Canada Stakes on Jan. 30, was far back throughout and beat only Avian Assembly in the field of nine.

Best Pal, the defending champion, was assigned 124 pounds for Saturday’s $1-million Santa Anita Handicap.

This is the same weight Best Pal carried in his only race this year, the San Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 24. He finished second behind Jovial that day, but was disqualified and placed fifth.

Bertrando, beaten as the heavy favorite in the Charles H. Strub Stakes last month, was given 120, one more than Sir Beaufort and two more than San Antonio winner Marquetry.

Jovial, unbeaten in two starts this year after being winless since 1990, picked up two pounds after his nearly three-length victory in the San Pasqual. He was assigned 117.

The other possible entrants for the Big ‘Cap are Major Impact, Reign Road, Star Recruit and Tel Quel.

Gary Jones, Best Pal’s trainer, wasn’t happy with the weight spread between his gelding and Jovial. He was expecting a five-pound shift, but there was only a two-pound difference.

“Obviously, they’re doing their best to keep (Jovial) here,” Jones said. Jovial’s connections have discussed the possibility of running their horse in the $500,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 14.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Jones said Stuka came out of the San Rafael Stakes Saturday worse for wear and will be sent to Chino for a complete examination. Apparently, the colt, who was a distant third as the 7-10 favorite Saturday, was injured when he veered inward at the start and bumped with winner Devoted Brass. . . . Southern Truce, who paid $16, has been worse than third only five times in her career. . . . Eliza, who might make her first start of the year in the Santa Anita Oaks on Sunday, worked six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 Saturday morning. The Eclipse Award winner hasn’t run since wrapping up her 2-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.