DEL MAR : Paseana Won’t Be Supplemented to Breeders’ Cup Again, Craig Says

After a layoff of more than five months, Paseana had no trouble finding the finish line in winning Sunday’s Chula Vista Handicap. Her problem now is finding another starting gate, at least an appropriate one.

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs would seem a logical choice, but owner Sidney Craig said he no longer will pay a $200,000 supplementary fee to enter his mare in that event. He has done so the last two years, getting a victory in 1992 and a second by a nose to Hollywood Wildcat last year.

“I’m not paying the $200,000 this time,” Craig said. “Not again.”

So, trainer Ron McAnally will probably have to find another spot for Paseana, possibly the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 16.

“So far,” McAnally said, “that’s how we’ll probably go.”

McAnally and Craig are hopeful that Breeders’ Cup rules will be changed to allow previously supplemented horses to run without the payment of additional fees. The trainer discussed the subject at length Monday with James (Ted) Bassett, Breeders’ Cup president.

“I told him Mr. Craig was most emphatic about not supplementing again,” McAnally said. “He just doesn’t think it’s right. The Breeders’ Cup isn’t that old that rules can’t be changed, but they’ve had a very stubborn attitude. The reason for the Breeders’ Cup races is supposed to be to show off our champions, and this mare is a champion.”

Paseana’s two Breeders’ Cup races have grossed almost $800,000, but the $400,000 in supplementary fees and the 20% split between McAnally and jockey Chris McCarron have cut into the proceeds. Expenses, such as shipping the horse, cut further.

McAnally and McCarron have offered their services for less than their normal 10% apiece, but that is neither the point nor the principle with Craig.

Should either Craig or the Breeders’ Cup hierarchy reconsider, Pasena could become the all-time leading female money-winner with a Distaff victory. She is at $2,930,403 and needs $330,000 to catch Dance Smartly. First place in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff pays $520,000.

Craig probably will have an entrant in the Distaff anyway. Exchange, second to entrymate Paseana by a nose Sunday, is already eligible and does not need to be supplemented.

Bill Spawr, Exchange’s trainer, said Monday he will nominate the mare for either the Oak Tree Invitational on Oct. 9 or the Lady’s Secret Handicap on Oct. 10 as a final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. The Lady’s Secret, at 1 1/16 miles on dirt against females, would seem the most likely spot.

Horse Racing Notes

Ten horses have been invited to the $300,000 Del Mar Derby, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds next Monday. They are Blue Grass Prince, Eagle Eyed, Fumi Di Londra, Marvin’s Faith, Numerous, Powis Castle, Pollock’s Luck, Soul Of The Matter, Unfinished Symph and You And I. Provisional invitees will be listed Saturday, and the possibility of a split field exists. . . . Through the first 29 days of the 43-day meeting, the daily average handle is up 19.8% at $9,495,810. Making up those numbers are the daily average in-state handle of $7,458,697 and out-of-state handle of $2,037,113. The daily average attendance is running at 36,354, up 3.3% from last year. The on-track attendance is up 8.7% to 16,962.

Royal Chariot, ridden by Corey Nakatani, won the $45,000 allowance feature at Del Mar by 1 1/4 lengths. The 4-year-old Strawberry Road gelding covered 1 1/16 miles on the turf in 1:43 2/5 and paid $5.20.

Star Of Cozzene, the 1993 Arlington Million winner who was 12th in the race Sunday, has been retired. He had 14 victories, eight seconds and five thirds in 37 starts and earned $2.3 million. . . . Flanders ($10.20) won the $200,000 Spinaway Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by 4 3/4 lengths on closing day at Saratoga.