SANTA ANITA : A Cakewalk for On The Catwalk

Gary Stevens was correct in his assessment of the $80,400 Providencia Stakes Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Although the meeting’s leading rider was aboard Amal Hayati in the restricted turf stakes, he had worked On The Catwalk before her U.S. debut and was impressed. “I was concerned that she was a cut above these,” he said.

A winner of three of six starts in Ireland, On The Catwalk was well above her five 3-year-old rivals, winning by nearly two lengths under Eddie Delahoussaye.

Fifth after six furlongs, the daughter of Reasonable moved up entering the stretch and won without being touched by Delahoussaye’s whip. She covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 1/5.

Worse than third only once in her Irish career, On The Catwalk, the 7-2 third choice, was purchased by Mary Jones Bradley from F.J. O’Grady, her owner, breeder and trainer.

“I just loved her name,” Bradley said. “We had a terrible time getting her out of Ireland, because of all the rain there and then we had a terrible time here with all the rain.”

Even though On The Catwalk had never run farther than a mile in Ireland, trainer Rodney Rash wasn’t concerned about the distance of the Providencia.

“She’s bred to run all day,” he said. “Eddie did a good job of getting her to relax. You’re always worried about a horse’s first start after a five-month layoff, but I knew the distance wouldn’t be a problem.

“Eddie’s been getting on her in the mornings and I didn’t give him any instructions, just told him to get her to relax. That’s what the big money riders are paid for. We’ll probably point for the Honeymoon Handicap (June 5 at Hollywood Park) next.”

Amal Hayati was second, three lengths ahead of 17-10 favorite Voluptuous, who set the pace under Corey Nakatani.

“There was no speed in the race and I was choking her down,” Nakatani said. “Maybe I slowed her down too much. I tried to rate her, but she wouldn’t cooperate early. As soon as I got a length in front, she started to relax.

“She got a good breather, but, when I asked her to respond she just didn’t go. The only thing I can think of is maybe it was too far for her.”

Alex Solis, eighth in the Santa Anita standings after being the leading rider here last year, has hired John DeSantis as his agent, replacing Tony Matos. The change will become effective April 21, the beginning of Hollywood Park.

After edging Eddie Delahoussaye and Kent Desormeaux during the 1991-92 meeting while riding 100 winners, Solis has only 40 victories through the first 74 days, and there has been speculation he was going to change agents.

DeSantis--who has worked for Corey and Kenny Black, Sandy Hawley, Frank Alvarado and Ron Hansen--will also continue to book mounts for apprentice Sal Gonzalez.

Matos will team again with Julio Garcia, who is scheduled to return to California from Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Best Pal, who worked seven furlongs in 1:25 4/5 at Hollywood Park on Sunday before leaving for Arkansas, is among 10 horses scheduled to go in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Fifth as the favorite in the Santa Anita Handicap, Best Pal is winless since he won the Oaklawn Handicap last year. Jovial, who will be ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye for the first time, Lil E. Tee, Sand Lizard, American Chance, Zeeruler, Conveyor, Pistols And Roses, Senor Tomas and Siberian Summer are the other probable starters.

Devoted Brass, a fourth-place finisher in last Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby, will be kept in training at Santa Anita in preparation for the Kentucky Derby, according to trainer Noble Threewitt.

Four locally-based 3-year-olds are among those scheduled to be entered this morning for the $250,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Denmars Dream--who was fourth in the San Felipe Stakes in his first try around two turns--Elkhart, Star Of The Eagle and Offshore Pirate will represent Southern California in the 1 1/8-mile Derby.

Solis will ride Denmars Dream, who worked five furlongs in 1:01 Sunday morning at Hollywood Park before being shipped to Golden Gate. David Flores will ride Offshore Pirate, the runner-up in the Louisiana Derby, and Laffit Pincay has the mount on Star Of The Eagle, second to Diazo in an allowance race at Santa Anita in his last start. Ron Hansen will ride Elkhart for trainer Gary Jones.

Diazo will run in $500,000 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 17.

Horse Racing Notes

Gray Slewpy will make his next start in the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park on May 16, according to trainer Dan Hendricks. There had been some discussion about Gray Slewpy being shipped to Oaklawn Park for the Count Fleet Handicap next week. . . . Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Thirty Slews continued to work toward his comeback with a 45 4/5 half-mile on Wednesday morning. . . . Santa Anita Handicap winner Sir Beaufort worked five furlongs in 59 4/5 Tuesday. He will make his next start in the $400,000 Californian at Hollywood Park on April 24, the next stop in the American Championship Racing Series.

Eddie Delahoussaye, Laffit Pincay, Chris McCarron and Goncalino Almeida have mounts in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes Friday at Oaklawn Park. Delahoussaye will ride Swazi’s Moment, Pincay will be aboard Santa Anita Oaks runner-up Stalcreek, McCarron has the mount on Dance For Vanny and Almeida will ride Adorydar.