HOLLYWOOD PARK : Abaginone Heads East to Try Luck in the True North

Abaginone, a winner in four of five races, will make his stakes debut in the $100,000 True North Handicap at Belmont Park on Saturday.

A Grade II race at six furlongs, the True North wasn’t originally in Abaginone’s schedule. If trainer Sandy Shulman and owner Ron Charles had their way, the 4-year-old Devil’s Bag colt would be preparing for a July 22 match race with Soviet Problem.

That plan was scuttled because of a tendon injury that will sideline Soviet Problem for the rest of the year, so Shulman will saddle and Charles will run a horse at Belmont Park for the first time. Their ultimate goal for Abaginone is the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 28.

“We thought it was time to see how good [Abaginone] really is and to see how he travels,” Shulman said. “Plus, timewise this race was better than the Bing Crosby Handicap [July 30 at Del Mar]. We would have had to wait another two weeks.

“This will be a good test for him.

Gary Stevens, who has said Abaginone has the potential to be the best sprinter he has ever ridden, will go to Belmont for the True North.

“I think that’s a big advantage for us because Gary knows the track well,” Shulman said. “I’m very much looking forward to this.”

Shulman is also hoping to celebrate a Hollywood Park training title. Heading into the final 11 days of the meeting, he holds a 22-21 lead over Bobby Frankel.

A year ago, Shulman was in front until the final day of the season, when he was caught and passed by Ron McAnally, who won with his last two starters--Grooming and Mr Purple in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship.

“I’m not going to say anything until July 25 [the day after Hollywood Park ends],” Shulman said. “We were disappointed last year, and I can tell you we very much would like to win this year.”

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Slew Of Damascus, who won the 1994 Hollywood Gold Cup, was sold for $175,000 at the Barrets July sale of horses of racing age on Monday.

Sold to dissolve a partnership of Edris Harbeston, George Losh and Vic Naccarato, Slew Of Damascus, a 7-year-old Slewacide gelding, was bought by Dave and Jill Heerensperger of Washington.

Most recently, Slew Of Damascus, who has earned more than $1.2 million, was second in the Bedside Promise Handicap, and he probably will run in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 13 at Del Mar. He was also second in two stakes last winter at Santa Anita. He was beaten by Del Mar Dennis in the San Pasqual Handicap and Best Pal in the San Antonio Handicap.

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Soul Of The Matter, bothered because of foot problems throughout his career, will make his first start of the year in the $125,000 Bel Air Handicap on Sunday.

Fourth behind Concern, Tabasco Cat and Dramatic Gold in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 in his last start, Soul Of The Matter worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 Wednesday morning. He will carry highweight of 121 pounds in the 1 1/16 mile race.

The field will also include You And I, who hasn’t done much in his local races, but won the Metropolitan and Brooklyn Handicaps at Belmont Park.

Only two others are confirmed for the Bel Air--Cleante and Constant Craving.

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Kent Desormeaux, who was disqualified from first and placed third on Ocean View in last Sunday’s second race, was given a five-day suspension, beginning Saturday.

Martin Pedroza, who recently returned from a five-day suspension, had four victories Wednesday, including three in a row. Pedroza won the first with Cargosita, then took the fifth with Lucky Jeremiah, the sixth with Jake’s Surprize and the seventh with Andado. None were favored.

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Flying Standby, claimed for $50,000 out of his maiden victory last Nov. 3, scored for the second time in six tries in the $71,700 Playa Del Rey on Wednesday at Hollywood Park.

Taking advantage of a good trip from the outside in the field of six 3-year-olds, the 10-1 shot beat Desert Pirate by half a length in 1:09 under Chris Antley.

Boundless Moment, the 13-10 favorite, didn’t break alertly, then had some traffic problems around the eighth pole and was third. It was the first loss in three starts for the Crafty Prospector gelding.

Costly Frosty, Cold N Calculating and the overrated Houston Sunrise completed the order of finish. Score Quick and Silent Drum were scratched.

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There is a Pick Six carryover of more than $81,000 for today after a day full of upsets Wednesday. No one had five winners either.

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Corey Nakatani and Chris Antley each had two victories Wednesday.