HOLLYWOOD PARK : Thirst For Peace Makes Shulman Claim a Winner

Sandy Shulman has made countless claims since he began training, but there’s no doubt that Thirst For Peace is the best.

Taken for Clear Valley Stables for $32,000 on Aug. 13, 1993 at Del Mar, after the trainer won a 15-way shake, Thirst For Peace gave Shulman his first graded stakes victory Saturday when she won the Grade 2 $108,500 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park.

A winner of three of seven starts this year against lesser opposition, the 5-year-old Time For A Change mare and 18-1 shot beat Glass Ceiling by a head under Alex Solis in 1:42 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Miss Dominique, the 7-5 favorite, finished fourth in her first start since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her rider, Corey Nakatani, claimed foul against the winner, but it was quickly dismissed by the stewards. Magical Maiden finished last, duplicating her effort in the Yellow Ribbon.

“This is obviously one of our biggest victories,” said Shulman. “She’s really come around for us. She’s done real well these last three or four months. She’s come around like she (did) at the beginning of the year at Santa Anita.

“I didn’t have to tell Alex anything. He knows what to do with her. He rode her terrifically at Santa Anita.”

Losing for the first time in three starts at Hollywood Park, Glass Ceiling finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of 17-1 outsider Dancing Mirage.

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Best Pal, who didn’t have much success in two trips to Kentucky in his most recent races, is the 8-5 favorite in the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap today.

The return to Hollywood Park could be just what the 6-year-old gelding needs because this has been his favorite track. In six starts on the main track at Inglewood, Best Pal has five firsts and a second.

Originally, Best Pal was going to run in next Sunday’s Hollywood Turf Cup, but after Dramatic Gold, who also is owned by John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm, decided to pass the Native Diver, it was decided to run Best Pal here. A winner of 15 of 37 lifetime starts and with earnings of $5,065,645, the California-bred will be ridden by McCarron.

The 5-2 second choice in the 1 1/8-mile race is Sea Cadet, who bounced back to his best form after a pair of disappointing comeback efforts. He was beaten by a nose by Stuka in the Skywalker Handicap at Santa Anita in 1:40 4/5 for the 1 1/16 miles. Solis will ride for trainer Ron McAnally. Sea Cadet has also shown a fondness for Hollywood Park, where he has two firsts, a second and two thirds in six races.

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According to a story in today’s Daily Racing Form, the schedule for Holy Bull is to run twice in Florida in early 1995, then return to California for the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 11.

Holy Bull, who won eight of 10 this year, including an impressive victory in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park on Sept. 17 to conclude his campaign, is scheduled to return in the seven-furlong Hallandale Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 22. He’ll then go in the Donn Handicap on Feb. 11 at 1 1/8 miles before the Big ‘Cap.

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The Pick Six payoff of $761,627.40 Friday night at Hollywood Park was a track record.

The ticket, which was purchased at Hollywood Park, eclipsed the previous high of $619,799 paid on June 4, 1992.

Horse Racing Notes

Borodislew, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, was scratched from the Bayakoa Saturday morning because of a slight fever. . . . Thirst For Peace paid $39.40, and the victory was worth $63,500 to her owners. . . . Alywow, a disappointing seventh as the favorite in last Sunday’s Matriarch, suffered a fracture in her left hind leg while training Friday morning and is out of next weekend’s Hollywood Turf Cup. Alywow is scheduled to undergo surgery today or Monday. . . . Wagering throughout California increased significantly on the Hong Kong races Friday night over the first two weeks. On the first Friday, $311,472 was handled, the total dropped to $331,167 last Saturday and it was $498,746 on Friday night.

Kent Desormeaux, who has been bothered by flu all week, took off his final five mounts Saturday after riding in the first two races. Desormeaux didn’t ride Wednesday or Thursday, then didn’t ride his last two mounts on Friday night. If he feels better today, Desormeaux will meet with stewards Pete Pedersen, Dave Samuel and Tom Ward regarding Saturday’s second race. Riding About To Shout, he stood up approaching the wire, something he has done several times in the past, and the 3-year-old colt was nailed for third by Air Corn.