Mandella Senses Cigar’s Approach

The only way Cigar could look any better is if I had him in my barn.

--Trainer Richard Mandella

*

That point made, Mandella will still be sending Soul Of The Matter to Belmont Park to face Cigar in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 28. After Soul Of The Matter beat Tinners Way by a nose Saturday in the $256,950 Goodwood Handicap at Santa Anita, Mandella said:

“I can’t tell you how much respect I’ve got for Cigar, but my horse always has a chance. The times he’s been beaten, he’s either been bothered by sore feet or we’ve been rushing him to get ready for the race.”

A 4-year-old colt, Soul Of The Matter has started only 13 times, but earned $1.2 million, with seven victories, two seconds and two thirds. Burt Bacharach’s West Virginia-bred was fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, where Mandella ran a recovering horse that had torn off a piece of his foot while winning the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs a month before.

The Goodwood enabled Soul Of The Matter to turn the tables on Tinners Way, who had beaten Mandella’s colt by 4 1/2 lengths in the $1-million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Soul Of The Matter, a slight betting favorite, paid $5.20 to win and ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 2/5. Less than two lengths separated the five-horse field.

“He ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup last year,” said Kent Desormeaux, Soul Of The Matter’s jockey, “and he did it with no feet. I’m pretty excited. Even with Cigar in there, I think we can be part of it all.”

Another horse who may be Breeders’ Cup-bound--for the Juvenile Fillies--is Tipically Irish, who upset the unstopped 1-2 favorite, Batroyale, in the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes. Tipically Irish, ridden by Laffit Pincay, outlasted Ocean View by a neck with Batroyale, the Del Mar Debutante winner, finishing fourth. Tipically Irish, who had three wins in six starts in Kentucky and New Jersey, was saddled Saturday by Wayne Lukas’ son Jeff.

*

Santa Anita Notes

Ventiquattrofogli might be headed for the Breeders’ Cup Mile after his 1 3/4-length victory in the $133,100 Koester Handicap. . . . Verne Winchell’s Future Quest and Exetera, both trained by Ron McAnally, are the 7-5 favorites in the $200,000 Norfolk. . . . Goldigger’s Dream, who had been winless in five races this year, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14 in the third race, tying the track record.