His Third Winner Proves Charmed

Trainer Randy Bradshaw had himself a pretty good Saturday at Santa Anita.

The five horses he saddled accounted for three victories and second- and third-place finishes, with the biggest win coming from Artax in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes.

In the final local prep for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4, Artax, a 3-year-old son of Marquetry, went right to the front under Chris McCarron, established a moderate pace, then held off Real Quiet to win by a head in 1:41 3/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Owned by Ernie Paragallo’s Paraneck Stable, Artax--the 6-5 favorite--won for the third time in six starts, and he’ll try to complete the San Felipe-Santa Anita Derby parlay that Free House did last year.

Bouncing back from a dismal effort in the Golden Gate Derby two months ago, Real Quiet finished seven lengths ahead of Prosperous Bid, the 2-1 second choice who lost for the first time in three starts. Nationalore was fourth and Sea Of Secrets, who had won his previous three races but lost his best chance when he stumbled at the break, was last. Yarrow Brae and Classic Cat were scratched.

Before Artax’s victory, Bradshaw had won the third race with 6-1 shot Numero Uno and the seventh with 2-1 second choice Canyon Crest. His One Wish was third as the favorite in the third race, and Niceandeasydoesit was second in the sixth.

“He had trained great coming up to this race, and he looks like he’s getting better every race,” said Bradshaw of Artax. “The only thing that had me concerned coming into the race was he coughed a little the last two days. But [Artax] was feeling good. I thought he got a little tired at the end, but I think he’ll be a little better next time.”

Trainer Bob Baffert has certainly seen his Santa Anita and Kentucky Derby prospects brighten in the last couple of days. Indian Charlie thrust himself into the picture with an impressive win in his two-turn debut on Friday, and he and Real Quiet will be a strong 1-2 punch in three weeks.

“At least, [Real Quiet] has gotten over that last fiasco,” said Baffert. “You always like to win, but this is a good horse. The classic distance [1 1/4 miles] won’t be a problem for him. He’s a big, long-striding horse.”

Horse Racing Notes

Beaten for the first time in last month’s Las Virgenes, Star Of Broadway is the 2-1 favorite to rebound in the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks. Trained by Wayne Lukas for owner James Spence, the 3-year-old Broad Brush filly will be racing on Lasix for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Grade I Oaks. She figures to be on the lead under Gary Stevens and Keeper Hill, who ran her down at 56-1 in the Las Virgenes en route to a 5 1/2-length win, is the 3-1 second choice. The field includes Nijinsky’s Passion, Hedonist, Best Friend Stro, Occhi Verdi, Spiritual Magic and Storm Beauty. . . . There is a two-day carryover in the Pick Six of $433,300 for today.