Gomez Finds Time to Pick Up a Stakes Win

After jockey Eddie Delahoussaye called in sick Saturday, Garrett Gomez--not scheduled to ride until the day’s seventh race--hustled over to Santa Anita early to ride Son Of A Pistol to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $130,700 Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

Running a few lengths off a sizzling pace, Son Of A Pistol beat 11-1 shot White Bronco and seven others in a track record 1:13 3/5 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

Son Of A Pistol, a 6-year-old trained by Bruce Headley for a partnership, eclipsed the old record of 1:13 4/5 set by Lucky Lionel last April 17.

“I was sitting at home watching golf on television when my agent [Nick Cosato] called around noon to tell me about picking up the mount,” said Gomez. “I rushed over and got here right after the first race had been run. I’d just been [relaxing] at home because I wasn’t scheduled to ride until later. I got lucky to slip into a little spot and it sure paid off.”

Gold Land, the 3-1 favorite, rallied for third--a head behind White Bronco--after a troubled start. Elmhurst finished seventh and remains winless in three starts since his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last Nov. 8.

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The Santa Anita Derby wasn’t the only easy stakes win of the day for jockey Gary Stevens.

Hawksley Hill, the 13-10 choice, romped by four lengths in the $167,350 El Rincon Handicap for his second stakes win of the meeting for trainer Neil Drysdale. Last month, they teamed up to win the Arcadia Handicap.

Owned by David and Jill Heerensperger, the 5-year-old Rahy gelding completed the 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course in 1:49 4/5 and has now won 10 of 26.

Precious Ring, a 12-1 shot, was second, a nose in front of 7-2 second-choice Kirkwall.

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Chilito, a 15-1 shot, led every step of the way under jockey Gary Boulanger to win the $200,000 Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park.

In his first appearance in a graded stakes, the 3-year-old son of Strawberry Road won by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:49 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles. He is owned by Lazy Lane Farms and trained by H. Graham Motion.

Comic Strip, the 1-2 favorite and winner of the Louisiana Derby in his previous start, finished a distant third, more than 13 lengths behind the winner. Raffie’s Majesty, a 5-1 shot, was second.

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Well Chosen earned herself a trip to the Kentucky Oaks with a 9-1 surprise in the $555,500 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

Trained by Wayne Lukas for owners Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor and ridden by Charles Woods Jr., Well Chosen beat 10-1 shot Let by a length in 1:43 for the 1 1/16 miles. Lukas said Woods got the mount after several other jockeys turned it down.

Santa Anita Oaks winner Hedonist, looking to remain unbeaten in four starts, finished sixth in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies as the 9-10 favorite.

Hedonist was reluctant to load, then broke slowly and never looked comfortable. She was beaten about 14 lengths.

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Getting away from Silver Charm wasn’t enough for Mud Route to get his first stakes victory.

The 2-1 favorite in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap, Mud Route had to settle for fourth in the Grade I race won by 11-1 shot Precocity.

Ridden by Carlos Gonzalez for owner John Franks and trainer Bobby Barnett, Precocity beat Frisk Me Now by a little more than a length in 1:48 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.