HOLLYWOOD PARK : Hollywood Wildcat Ends Her Drought With Victory in Gamely Handicap

Owners Irving and Marge Cowan had to go four months without seeing Hollywood Wildcat run, but the wait proved worthwhile Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Making her first appearance since she had a five-race winning streak ended in the La Canada Stakes on Feb. 5 at Santa Anita, 1993’s champion 3-year-old filly returned with a 2 1/4-length victory over 19-1 shot Mz. Zill Bear in the $160,400 Gamely Handicap.

While Hollywood Wildcat remained unbeaten in three starts on the turf, Flawlessly had a victory streak of her own ended. The two-time Eclipse Award winner finished third Sunday at 7-10 odds, her first defeat in seven starts on the Hollywood Park turf course.

Not too far off the pace being set by Skimble and Bel’s Starlet early, Hollywood Wildcat dropped back to last after six furlongs and looked like she might be done. However, Eddie Delahoussaye had decided to wait, and when he asked the 4-year-old Kris S filly, she accelerated and went on to win in 1:46 2/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.

“She broke awful sharp, she was awful fresh,” said Delahoussaye. “Going into the first turn, I had to have a pretty good hold of her, but as she reached the backside, she relaxed real well. I knew she’d be all right.

“Horses started passing her, but she’s got a good turn of foot, so I decided I may as well wait. As we neared the three-eighths pole, I was a little concerned about getting through, but it broke perfect for us. Boy, when I called on her, she just took off.

“She really took to this course, loved it. I told (trainer) Neil (Drysdale) he might as well keep her on the grass.”

Flawlessly, who hadn’t run since Nov. 28, was beaten by five lengths, but she did break poorly and was caught wide on the final turn.

“She was off very slow,” said Chris McCarron. “I got left by a length. She was a little antsy in the gate today and she’s not usually like that. . . .

“I asked her to run too soon. I made a premature move. I misjudged (fourth-place finisher Empress Club). I thought I’d be able to get by her and be only three-wide around the next turn. As it was, (Empress Club) went on and it turned out I got sent out to the outside like I was on the end of a ski rope.”

*

Sandy King, the assistant horse identifier, was given a 15-day suspension by Hollywood Park stewards Ingrid Fermin, Pete Pedersen and Tom Ward in the aftermath of the Johnny Mc-Stalvoy incident, which led to the two horses switching identities for more than a month.

King was on duty at the receiving barn on April 29 when the horse thought to be Johnny Mc was brought over for the night’s fifth race. It was discovered later it was actually Stalvoy who finished fifth that evening.

In other rulings regarding the incident, trainers Bill Spawr and Craig Lewis were each fined $1,500 for California Horse Racing Board rule violations. Spawr, who claimed Stalvoy at Santa Anita, but ended up with Johnny Mc for a time, was cited for bringing the incorrect horse to the receiving barn, penalty for a late declaration and failure to start and run. Lewis, who thought he had Johnny Mc, but actually had Stalvoy before he was claimed by Bob Hess, Jr., on April 29, was fined for running the incorrect horse and “duties of trainer.”

State veterinarian William Gray Gerber was fined $200 for “inaccurate procedures followed in the receiving barn.”

Horse Racing Notes

The mystery ailment that has bothered Eddie Delahoussaye for several months has been diagnosed as sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus area. Delahoussaye said people who live in areas with high air pollution are more susceptible to the ailment. He has been taking antibiotics for the last six days and will continue to do so for a total of 10 days. If the condition doesn’t improve, he said, he might have to undergo surgery. Delahoussaye, who gave up the mount on Strodes Creek in the Belmont Stakes due to the problem, will visit Dr. Peter Gabor again today. On the recommendation of trainer Bobby Frankel, Delahoussaye visited Gabor a week ago and underwent blood tests for three kinds of viruses. . . . Hollywood Wildcat and Flawlessly probably will meet in the Beverly Hills Handicap on July 3. . . . Arcangues, expected to make his next start in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 2, worked a half-mile in 49 4/5 Sunday.