Newcomer Isn’t Drawing a Blanc

Private school and Brice Blanc didn’t get along, so at 14, he figured he’d better try something else.

The decision to become a jockey has certainly turned out to be the right one for Blanc, now 23 and the leading rider at Hollywood Park.

Born in Lyon, France, Blanc had been to the races only once and had never ridden a horse when he made his decision.

“I wasn’t working hard and I wasn’t interested in school,” he said. “Some friends of my parents [Ellene and Francois] said that it didn’t look like I was going to be too big and that I should be a jockey.”

After attending an apprentice school and working for trainer Joel Remy in Paris for four years, Blanc saw his career going nowhere in his homeland and came to the United States in 1994.

He began working for the late Rodney Rash, and on Feb. 5, 1995, rode his first winner, guiding Gulf Tide, a horse then trained by Rash, to a 19-1 upset in a maiden claiming race.

Many more victories have followed, and Blanc is really on a roll these days. Through the first 20 days of the meeting, he has 24 victories, six more than Eddie Delahoussaye.

Wednesday marked his first day as a journeyman, and it took him only four races to earn his initial win, scoring from off the pace with Pismo Bay. He rode with the five-pound apprentice allowance for the last time on Sunday.

Many observers say Blanc will become a fixture here.

“I like his experience beyond his experience,” trainer Roger Stein said. “He acts like someone who’s ridden for 10 years. When you tell him something, he listens. He’s got good patience and he’s a strong finisher.”

Richard Mandella, atop the trainer standings with nine wins in the first 20 days, is another fan.

“He’s turned into a real pro,” he said. “He’s a true gentleman and a fine person. And even though he’s winning races, he isn’t getting carried away with himself. He knows it’s the horse, not him.”

Blanc, who is 5 feet 3 and 110 pounds, has also been well received in the world’s strongest jockey colony, even though he says there were some shaky moments.

“It took a while [for acceptance] because I was from Europe,” he said. “But once they have confidence in riding with you, it becomes easier. I don’t want any problems with anyone.

“Still, they like to test you. You can’t let it bother you, though, or you won’t make it. When I make a mistake and get in a tough spot, they do me no favors. That’s fine. So I’ve learned to do them no favors.”

Although he says he has learned from many jockeys, Blanc has paid particular attention to Delahoussaye.

“He and I are about the same size and shape,” he said. “He always seems relaxed and doesn’t take things too seriously and is always nice with people. When he’s riding, he’s got a lot of patience.”

That virtue has won Blanc several supporters and is part of the reason he looks like a certainty to become the first apprentice to stick since Corey Nakatani.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Stevens rode three winners Wednesday, including Bon Point in the $71,000 Grand Flotilla Handicap. Stevens also won with Seattle Saint--also for Bobby Frankel--and Miss Flashy Miss.

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Triple Crown Ratings

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No. Horse Starts 1 2 3 Earnings 1. Unbridled’s Song 8 4 2 0 $1,223,000 2. Louis Quatorze 10 4 3 0 749,120 3. Cavonnier 15 6 3 2 1,139,597 4. Skip Away 12 3 4 2 728,320 5. Editor’s Note 16 3 4 3 526,014 6. Prince Of Thieves 8 2 1 1 242,080 7. Halo Sunshine 10 2 2 3 287,525 8. Diligence 9 4 2 0 235,900 9. Grindstone 6 3 2 0 1,224,510 10. Appealing Skier 9 5 1 0 253,540

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Advisory panel for The Times’ Triple Crown Ratings: Racing historian Jim Bolus; Tom Durkin, track announcer in New York and Florida; and Chris Lincoln, racing telecaster for ESPN.