Toussaud’s Loss Ruffles Some Feathers : Oak Tree: Desormeaux and Stevens, riding for Frankel, criticize each other. But the trainer blames both of them.

Those who bet 1-2 favorite Toussaud in the third race Sunday at Santa Anita weren’t the only ones who were angry after she was beaten in her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

For differing reasons, trainer Bobby Frankel and jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Gary Stevens were also upset afterward.

In a trip that had to bring back the nightmare of Jolypha in the Beverly Hills Handicap last summer for Frankel and Desormeaux, Toussaud was in tight down along the rail through the stretch. A bumping incident with Gold Desert, ridden by Stevens and also trained by Frankel, led to the disqualification of that colt from second to third.

Making his American debut, Acteur Francais gave trainer Jenine Sahadi her fourth winner in the last five racing days, rallying under Corey Black to win by a half-length in 1:36 for the mile on turf. Gold Desert finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Toussaud, who had broken through the gate before the start.

Desormeaux, who railed against Pat Valenzuela after Jolypha’s debacle nearly four months ago, wasn’t discreet in venting his anger Sunday.

“He (Stevens) told the stewards (that Gold Desert) always (lugs) out, but today he didn’t,” Desormeaux said in the general direction of Frankel while walking back to the jockey’s room, within earshot of reporters, fans and Stevens. “(Stevens) knew where the . . . I was. He can kiss my . . . She didn’t get hurt, and that’s all that matters.

“She propped, stopped and almost dropped when I tried to get her through. That’s about all I can say. But except for the last 50 yards, I think she got a lot out of the race.”

Although Stevens was to ride the final six races on the card, Gold Desert was his last mount Sunday. According to steward Tom Ward, Stevens asked to be taken off his remaining mounts because he was “too upset to ride.”

Frankel didn’t say anything to Desormeaux, but his displeasure was evident.

“I’ve got two . . . morons riding for me,” Frankel said before going to watch the replay. “I’m glad (Toussaud is) fine. I told (Stevens) to just ride his own race, but the other horse was up in there, and don’t shut her off. The other guy, all he had to do was go around. What can I tell you?”

The defeat ended a four-race winning streak for Toussaud, who won the Wilshire, Gamely and American handicaps at Hollywood Park, then returned to action with a victory in the Autumn Days Handicap on opening day of the Oak Tree season.

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Frankel’s day didn’t end any better than it had started.

Skimble, one of three he started in the $107,600 Las Palmas Handicap, was caught in the final strides by 9-1 shot Miatuschka and was beaten by a head in the Grade II race.

In a field that was reduced to four betting interests after the scratch of Feminine Wiles, Miatuschka won for the second consecutive time. The 5-year-old gray mare proved a good pickup for Corey Black, who got the mount after apprentice Sal Gonzalez Jr. took off due to soreness from a spill on Saturday.

“I thought she would show more speed today,” trainer Bruce Jackson said after his first victory of the meeting. “I told Corey there wasn’t a lot of pace. She didn’t care for the course at Hollywood . . . she likes a softer course.

“We’ll look at the Yellow Ribbon (Nov. 14), but I’m not making any decision now. We’ll see how she comes out of this race.”

Skimble, who was the even-money favorite coupled with Gravieres and Villandry, set the pace and finished a head in front of 9-5 second choice Potridee.

“I think she might be a little better running at something, but nobody seemed to want the lead,” said Pat Day, Skimble’s rider. “She was on the lead, going easy, and she just got outfinished. But it was a game effort. I was pleased with it.”

Horse Racing Notes

Jockey Martin Pedroza was handed a five-day suspension that will begin Thursday after Contented was disqualified from second and placed last in the first race on Saturday. Contented was ruled to have caused the incident that led to Dr. Hyde and Sal Gonzalez Jr. going down. Gonzalez did a complete somersault and landed on his face, but wasn’t seriously injured. . . . Miatuschka, who had won the Golden Harvest Handicap at Louisiana Downs, paid $21.20 and earned $62,600 for owners Bruce Jackson, Phil Ramirez, Paul Varni and Ben Bollinger. . . . Oak Leaf winner Phone Chatter worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 Sunday morning for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. . . . Bien Bien, getting ready for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, worked six furlongs in 1:13 1/5. . . . Jockeys Corey Black, Laffit Pincay and Fernando Valenzuela each had two winners Sunday.