Siphon Saves the Day for Mandella

After failing in Kentucky, trainer Richard Mandella’s Brazilian connection came through at Hollywood Park.

Not long after favorite Sandpit finished off the board in the Early Times Turf Classic, the race before the Kentucky Derby, Siphon saved the day with a gate-to-wire victory in the $100,450 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap.

Ridden to perfection by David Flores, the 7-2 third choice in the field of four shook off a brief challenge from favored Eltish down the backside, then found more to hold off Del Mar Dennis by half a length in 1:40 2/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

This was the third consecutive victory for the 5-year-old, who came to America from Brazil about 15 months ago. He now has nine victories in 17 starts.

“Having the kind of speed he has really helped today,” said Chris Baker, Mandella’s assistant trainer. “He was able to shake loose in front and relax just enough to have something left at the end.”

Able to slow things down in his previous victory at the distance in the Bates Motel, Siphon certainly earned Saturday’s victory. He went 45 3/5 for half a mile and 1:09 for six furlongs, compared to 47 and 1:10 2/5 in the Bates Motel.

“He relaxed beautiful,” said Flores. “We were going fast, but it was real easy. I was scared on the backside when [Eltish] moved up on my outside, but he relaxed and had something left at the end.”

Del Mar Dennis, the 17-10 second choice, finished six lengths ahead of Dramatic Gold. It was the first time in Del Mar Dennis’ 22-race career that he had run second.

“What a great race,” said Rene Douglas, who was aboard the runner-up. “I was very surprised [Siphon] beat me because my horse was running great. [Siphon] just kept on going, but my horse ran great.”

Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye said Eltish, who was making his first start since last Aug. 15 and first for trainer Bobby Frankel, had an excuse for his dismal performance.

“He grabbed his quarter coming out of the gate and when I got back he was bleeding pretty good,” he said. “He wasn’t relaxed after that. Hopefully, it’s not bad and we’ll get him back on track.”

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Perfect in three starts at Hollywood Park, Raw Gold is the 7-5 favorite to keep her streak alive in the $100,000 Railbird Stakes today at Hollywood Park.

Chris Antley will again be her rider.

Hidden Lake, who has been worse than third only once in her nine-race career, is the 2-1 second choice. The field also includes Tanja, who ships in from Kentucky, Woodyoubelieveit, Supercilious, Soviet Nights, unbeaten in two well-spaced starts, and Tiffany Diamond.

Horse Racing Notes

A total of $4,373,549 was wagered on the Kentucky Derby at Hollywood Park and its simulcast sites and the total bet on the six simulcasts from Churchill Downs was $6,487,958. . . . Far Easter held off 10-1 shot Sergeant Stroh by a nose to win the $77,200 Snow Chief Stakes Saturday at Hollywood Park. Ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye for trainer Lloyd Mason, Far Easter paid $9.40 and ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 3/5. Argonnier, the 9-5 favorite, checked in ninth in the field of 10.