SANTA ANITA : Day of Happiness and Sorrow for Nakatani

Corey Nakatani’s happiness over Sandpit’s victory in the $267,500 San Luis Rey Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita was brief.

Soon after he returned from the 1 1/4-length victory over River Rhythm in the Grade I race, Nakatani was told that his nephew Christopher, 18, had died a few hours earlier after a lengthy battle with leukemia. Nakatani often had visited him in the hospital and had dedicated his first riding title--last summer at Del Mar--to Christopher.

Sobbing, Nakatani talked briefly about Sandpit’s fourth victory in six starts since coming to this country from South America, then gave up his mounts in the day’s final two races.

The 3-10 favorite against six opponents, Sandpit tracked the pace set by Square Cut, took over early in the stretch and won with something in reserve in 2:27 for the 1 1/2 miles on turf. River Rhythm, a 10-1 shot, got up to beat Square Cut by a half-length for second.

“The race set up perfectly,” said Nakatani. “I just sat on him. I just wanted to take him back and get him to relax. He did everything asked of him.”

Trainer Richard Mandella said Sandpit will be pointed to the San Juan Capistrano on April 23 and is likely to be a heavy favorite.

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Rather than go to the $500,000 Jim Beam Stakes on Saturday at Turfway Park, Larry The Legend will remain in California and take on Afternoon Deelites and Timber Country in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

Successful in three consecutive races after finishing second to the unbeaten Petionville in his first outing, Larry The Legend will be ridden by Gary Stevens, who returned from Hong Kong earlier this month and rode Urgent Request to victory in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Kent Desormeaux, who has been aboard Larry The Legend in all four of his races, will be aboard Afternoon Deelites in the Derby.

“The horse will breeze (today),” trainer Craig Lewis said. “Gary will be in California (Sunday) and he’ll probably blow the horse out prior to the Derby, if all goes well (today).”

Lake George, who was beaten by only three lengths by Afternoon Deelites when third in the San Rafael in his first race after breaking his maiden, also is going to run in the Santa Anita Derby, according to trainer Mike Orman.