Shoemaker Win Adds to Fastness’ Legend

Heading into the final two furlongs of the $700,000 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile, Chris McCarron asked Romarin, who had been in front from the start, for more and the jockey was delighted with the response.

“He threw me in the backseat, he [accelerated so hard],” said McCarron. “I thought, ‘Oh, man, you’re going to have to sprout wings to catch me.’ ”

Imagine how surprised he was when a gray streak sailed on past. “I think I saw Pegasus go by at the 16th pole,” he said.

Of course, the legendary winged horse didn’t make an unscheduled visit to Inglewood. Rather, it was Fastness, the 2-5 favorite who is becoming something of a legend himself.

If not that, the 6-year-old son of Rousillon is at least the best middle distance turf horse in the country and his performances keep getting better and better.

A little more than a month after toying with Helmsman and Tychonic in his 1996 debut in the Inglewood Handicap, Fastness outdid that effort Sunday.

Despite racing wide all the way under Corey Nakatani and last after six furlongs, he came through with a remarkable 22 1/5 final quarter to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a course record-tying 1:32 3/5.

This was the eighth victory in 23 starts for Fastness, who is owned by C.N. and Carol Ray, who watched the race on television at Keeneland, and provided Jenine Sahadi with the richest victory for a woman thoroughbred trainer.

It also guaranteed her a good night’s sleep. The past few days had been anxious for Sahadi because everyone kept telling her how Fastness couldn’t possibly lose the Shoemaker.

“You guys [reporters] put a lot of pressure on this horse all week and I just want to thank you for that,” she said. “He’s the utmost professional. He does a lot better than I do, that’s for sure. I had some anxious moments and I was like a maniac up there [in the box seats]. It’s over with now, thank God.

“All I said to Corey was to be in a good position at the top of the stretch and be ready to fly home. That’s exactly what he did. I have a lot of confidence in Corey and faith in his ability. He knows this horse and that’s a huge asset.”

The likely next stop for Fastness will be an attempt to repeat in the $300,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Aug. 4 at Del Mar. Of course, the ultimate objective is the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Mile Oct. 26 at Woodbine. He finished second in that race last year.

Romarin, the 6-1 third choice, finished a length ahead of 15-1 shot and stablemate Atticus, then came Tychonic, the 6-1 second choice.

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The heavy favorite in the day’s other stakes race didn’t fare as well as Fastness.

Pike Place Dancer, who had won the Kentucky Oaks and California Derby in her previous two starts, was a nonthreatening third at 2-5 odds in the $100,000 Princess Stakes.

Returning to the dirt after finishing fifth in the Senorita the second day of the meeting, Listening rolled past Najecam in mid-stretch and went on to win by three lengths in 1:42 4/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Ridden by McCarron for owner Janis Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally, the 3-year-old Night Shift filly paid $9.20 as the 7-2 second choice. She now has three wins in six lifetime starts.

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Horse Racing Notes

Fastness’ final time of 1:32 3/5 equaled the record set by Megan’s Interco in the 1994 Shoemaker Handicap. Sahadi also trains Megan’s Interco, who is nearing a return to the races. . . . The American record for the distance is 1:32 2/5 set by Expensive Decision in Oct., 1990 at Belmont Park and equaled at that track the following year by Known Ranger.