Listening Gets Heard in Linda Vista Handicap

Listening did what she was supposed to do in the $104,800 Linda Vista Handicap, but it didn’t come easy.

Making her first start since finishing a troubled fourth in the Alabama on Aug. 17 at Saratoga, the 3-5 favorite won by a head over former stablemate and 11-1 shot Goulash with 18-1 outsider Buckaroo Zoo another head behind in third.

Remaining unbeaten in three starts at Santa Anita, Listening, a 3-year-old daughter of Night Shift completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5 under Chris McCarron.

Victorious in five of nine lifetime, the roan is owned by Janis Whitham and trained by Ron McAnally.

“I felt she was fit, but I never expected to be spotting these other fillies that kind of weight,” McAnally said.

Listening, the only Grade I winner in the field of seven, carried 122 pounds, meaning she spotted each of her opponents six or seven pounds. “I still feel Listening is going to be better on grass--she’s bred for it. She’s really a hard-trying filly. I thought she was better than Antespend for a while. But you never know. These young horses change.”

This was definitely a tough loss for Goulash, who was claimed away from McAnally for $50,000 by trainer Ted West on Aug. 14. That was the second consecutive victory for the Mari’s Book filly that day and she won two more (at Bay Meadows and Fairplex Park) before the narrow defeat Saturday.

“I can’t believe how she’s improved,” said jockey Brice Blanc of the runner-up. “She’s improved 100 lengths since Hollywood Park. I thought I was going to win the race until I saw the head of [Listening] coming.”

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Making his first start since a thrilling victory in the Del Mar Derby last month, Rainbow Blues is the 2-1 favorite against five opponents in the $125,000 Volante Handicap today.

A winner of two of 12 starts in Europe before coming to California, the 3-year-old Bluebird colt staged a strong stretch run to get up by a head under Corey Nakatani in the Derby, which, at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, is the same distance as the Volante.

The Barking Shark, who has made an extremely nice living by running second this year, and Odyle, are the co-second choice at 5-2. Matty G, Chosen Prince and Lago complete the field.

Claimed for $50,000 by Marcelo Polanco for the 5 C Stable on July 6, The Barking Shark has run second in the Oceanside, La Jolla, Del Mar Derby and Super Derby for his new connections. Odyle won his only start on turf on Aug. 26, then disappointed three weeks later later in the Woodbine Million. He was fifth behind Skip Away.

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Isitingood made it three wins in four 1996 starts with a game victory over Distorted Humor in the $193,725 Fayette Saturday at Keeneland.

Ridden by David Flores for trainer Bob Baffert and owners Terry Henn and Mike Pegram, the 5-year-old Crusader Sword horse won by a head in 1:50 2/5 for the 1 1/8 miles. He returned $10.80 for his seventh win in 16 lifetime outings.

“I had a lot of horse left in the stretch,” Flores said. “I rode him with confidence because he had been training well. He’s got a big heart. [Distorted Humor] was laying on me a little bit. He didn’t want to give me too much room, but my horse is aggressive. He’ll go through any hole.”

Horse Racing Notes

Mysteryatmidnight, who was pulled up shortly after the start of Friday’s sixth race as the 3-1 second choice, apparently wasn’t hurt too seriously. According to Santa Anita’s official work tab, she worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Saturday morning for trainer Jerry Dutton. . . . Chequer, ridden by Corey Black, won the $100,000 William P. Kyne Handicap Saturday at Bay Meadows. Savinio, the favorite who backed into a win in the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap in his previous start, was third in the field of four. . . . Alex Solis won three times Saturday--on Mc Fig in the first, Photarc in the sixth and Chordette in the seventh.