SANTA ANITA : Extra Weight Is No Burden for Kotashaan

Ten extra pounds and a firm turf course didn’t make a difference to Kotashaan in the $254,500 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday.

A seven-length winner over a yielding turf course while carrying 114 pounds in the San Luis Obispo on Feb. 15, the son of Darshaan handled the changes with aplomb in the Grade I race.

The 4-5 favorite in a field reduced to four after the scratches of Misty Valley and Marquetry, the French-bred defeated 2-1 second choice Bien Bien by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:23 4/5 for the 1 1/2 miles.

Kotashaan’s second victory in his last three starts provided Kent Desormeaux with the third of his four victories Sunday and also means the 5-year-old will be a heavy favorite in the closing-day San Juan Capistrano on April 18.

Last in a well-bunched field early, Kotashaan made a big move on the outside to join Bien Bien and pacesetter Jahafil, then went on to his sixth victory in 16 lifetime starts. Bien Bien was 13 lengths ahead of Fast Cure, the San Luis Rey longshot at 17-1, and it was another seven back to Jahafil, who had beaten lesser opponents by six lengths in his American debut March 3.

“It’s a nice feeling to win a Grade I race,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ll go in the San Juan Capistrano next. That’s been the plan all meet.

“This race wasn’t as easy as last time, but Bien Bien’s a good horse. (Trainer) Paco (Gonzalez) did a great job with him, bringing him up to this race. I’d seen Bien Bien train, and I knew he’d be in good shape.

“I didn’t give Kent any big instructions. My experience in four- or five-horse fields have been the worst experiences. Usually, the favorite’s boxed in so tight he can’t breathe. I told Kent rather than ride too tight, to stay in the clear.”

Even though Jahafil was the only front-runner in the race, Desormeaux wasn’t concerned.

“(Bien Bien) is gutsy, but Kotashaan is faster--and that’s what it came down to,” he said. “The thing with him is that the pace of the race doesn’t matter. I just pick somebody to get behind and fight with him until I’m ready. That’s all there is to it. There’s really not much to think about. Pace means nothing to me with him. If they go 53 (seconds for a half-mile), I’m going to go 53 1/5.”

In his first start with Lasix, Bien Bien improved while carrying equal weight, 124 pounds, with the winner. The San Juan Capistrano is a handicap, so he probably won’t carry as much weight next time.

“If all’s well, we’ll come back,” said Gonzalez. “It depends on the weights. If not, we’ll wait until Hollywood.”

River Special, who finished fifth in the San Felipe Stakes in his first start of the year, will work five furlongs Tuesday morning. A decision about whether he will return in the Santa Anita Derby on April 3 or the California Derby a week later is pending.

“We’ll try to make a decision (after the workout),” said trainer Bob Hess Jr. “I tinkered with the idea of working him seven-eighths, but decided to try not to force things. Mr. (John) Mabee (River Special’s owner) and I will have a discussion after the workout and try to reach a decision.”

At this point, a field of eight looks possible for the Santa Anita Derby. Personal Hope, Devoted Brass, Union City and Gavel Gate are considered definite while River Special, Corby, Only Alpha, Offshore Pirate and the filly Eliza are possibles.

Union City, second to Devoted Brass in the San Rafael, had been considered for the $600,000 Jim Beam Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday, but trainer Wayne Lukas has decided to keep the colt here.

Horse Racing Notes

Owner Allen Paulson has yet another Kentucky Derby prospect. Diazo, a son of Jade Hunter, followed up an easy maiden victory with a 3 1/2-length victory in Sunday’s seventh race. Unbeaten since blinkers were added, Diazo stalked the pace under Kent Desormeaux in his first route race, then came away late and won in 1:42 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles. “I think he has Derby possibilities,” said trainer Bill Shoemaker. “I’ll sit down with Mr. Paulson and we’ll figure out what we’re going to do with him.” . . . Besides Diazo and Kotashaan, Desormeaux also won the first with Victory Date and the ninth on River Dacer.

A bettor who declined to be identified had the only winning Pick Six ticket at Santa Anita on Saturday. He invested $108 and the ticket was worth $252,728.60 before taxes. . . . Marmoe, the even-money favorite, easily won the $50,725 Zany Tactics at Santa Anita on Sunday. A 3-year-old son of Pirate’s Bounty, Marmoe won by 2 1/2 lengths and covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16 2/5 under David Flores. Trained by Dan Hendricks and owned by Maurel A. and Maurel R. Bell, Marmoe has won three of six starts. Flying Conquest finished second, but was disqualified and placed fourth after lugging in badly through the stretch. Moscow Changes was moved up to second.

Trishyde, who won her 1993 debut by 14 lengths in an allowance race, worked six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 on the turf Sunday morning. She will make her next start in the $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap on April 4. . . . Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Thirty Slews went a half-mile in 46 3/5 for trainer Bob Baffert as he continues to work toward his comeback. . . . Arches Of Gold, another talented sprinter in the Baffert barn, will make her next start against males in the $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 15.