HOLLYWOOD PARK : Sardula Strides Convincingly to Win Princess

Around horses his entire life and on his own as a trainer since 1966, Brian Mayberry doesn’t hesitate when asked about Sardula.

“I’ve never had a horse as good as she is,” he said after the 3-year-old Storm Cat filly did exactly what she was supposed to in the $102,700 Princess Stakes Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The 1-10 favorite against three opponents, Sardula drew away through the stretch after battling with Pirate’s Revenge through an extremely quick 44 4/5-second half-mile. With Eddie Delahoussaye sitting still, she cruised home by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:42 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

This was the sixth victory in eight starts for Sardula, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, and she is unbeaten in three races in 1994. A half-length loss in the Oak Leaf and a head defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies--both at the hands of Phone Chatter--are all that separates her from perfection.

“She ran a great race, but I was a little worried down the backside when they were going that fast,” said Mayberry. “But she’s such a great filly and Eddie said she won very easily. We’ve been working to get her to relax, but I was still concerned early.

“But, when you have Eddie Delahoussaye on, why, like I’ve said over and over again, he’s got so much confidence in her.

“She’s got bigger and stronger (since last year). With the precocious ones that run well early sometimes, I feel that they are limited as far as they’re going to run. And when you get one like this that continues to grow before your eyes, those are the best ones. That’s been my experience anyway. She’s right at the peak of her game.”

The Princess was the prep for the July 10 Hollywood Oaks and fans would like to see a Sardula-Lakeway rematch. They got together for the first time in the Kentucky Oaks, with Sardula winning by a head on May 6. Lakeway went to New York a week ago and easily captured the Mother Goose. The daughter of Seattle Slew may stay home for the Hollywood Oaks or return to New York for the Coaching Club American Oaks a day earlier.

Delahoussaye would feel comfortable against Lakeway or any other 3-year-old filly. Riding for the first time since Sunday, he won his first three races back.

“Sardula just ran super,” he said. “I didn’t want to go to the lead, but it looked like it was going to be a match race (with 5-1 second choice Pirate’s Revenge), according to the (Daily Racing) Form.

“I didn’t think we were going as fast as we did early, but she relaxed OK midway down the backside. We were down on the inside, but she’s got so much heart, she’s unbelievable.

“She just ran a super race and she keeps improving. But, next time, in the big race (the Hollywood Oaks), hopefully, we’ll lay off the pace.”

Fancy ‘N Fabulous, who trailed for the first six furlongs, rallied for second, six lengths in front of a tired Pirate’s Revenge. Espadrille finished last. Baby Diamonds was scratched.

Never worse than second in her first six starts, Pirate’s Revenge would have finished second Saturday if she hadn’t challenged Sardula from the outset. Those two had 12 lengths on the field after a half-mile and eight after six furlongs.

“(Trainer) Ron (Ellis) told me to just break and make the attempt of going to the lead, then maybe Sardula would take out,” said Chris Antley, who rode Pirate’s Revenge. “He said that this may be the only shot we have of beating her. But, by the time we got to the first turn, (Sardula) had run into the bridle. We were just galloping along and I kept looking at (Sardula), and, shoot, she had her ears pricked the whole way. Sardula is special.”

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Fumo Di Londra, an easy winner of the Spotlight Breeders’ Cup Handicap in his last start, is the 8-5 favorite in the $100,000-added Cinema Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

Purchased by Jenny and Sid Craig with the hope he would be a Kentucky Derby horse, Fumo Di Londra failed miserably in his first U.S. start and first try on the dirt. He finished last, beaten 31 lengths by Tabasco Cat, in the San Rafael on March 6 at Santa Anita.

Given time off afterward by trainer Ron McAnally, the Indian Ridge colt returned to the turf in the Spotlight and led throughout as the 2-1 favorite. He has captured four of his eight starts on grass.

Unfinished Symph, second in the Spotlight and the 16-1 winner of the Will Rogers Handicap, is the 3-1 second choice in the Cinema, which is run at 1 1/8 miles. Gary Baze will again be aboard for trainer Wesley Ward.

Horse Racing Notes

Alex The Great, a 6-1 shot ridden by Pat Valenzuela, won the $300,000 Golden Gate Handicap Saturday in a four-horse blanket finish. Favored Fanmore was second, just in front of Emerald Jig and Sir Mark Sykes. Rodney Rash trains Alex The Great for owner Berry Gordy . . . . Sal Gonzalez Jr. was suspended for five days beginning Wednesday after being disqualified on Its Beer Thirty in last Thursday’s fifth race . . . . Victor Trujillo won his first race at Hollywood Park, directing Et Voila to victory in the ninth. Trujillo replaced Alex Solis, who had taken off his remaining mounts after the Princess because of a sore right leg. Solis had banged the leg in the starting gate in a race Friday night . . . . There were seven correct tickets in the National Best Seven and, based on a 50-cent bet, they paid $23.396 and six was worth $53.60. The total pool was $373,393.50.