Deputy Commander Needs Strong Californian Showing

The $250,000 Californian, which will be run Sunday and is the final major prep for the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup on June 28, is a definite step down for Deputy Commander.

All you have to do is look at the probable field for the Grade II and compare it to the horses Deputy Commander has faced in his last two races at Hollywood Park.

Last Nov. 8, the Deputy Minister colt finished second to Skip Away in the $4-million Breeders’ Cup Classic. In his previous afternoon appearance in Inglewood, he was second to Free House in the Swaps on July 20.

On Sunday, his opposition will include Mud Route, who has never won a graded stakes; Don’t Blame Rio, who has lost 31 of 34; and possibly European import Albaha, who would be making his U.S. debut; Cantbetouched, an allowance-type who has lost 18 of 20, and Floriselli, who hasn’t run since Sept. 1 and has never started on the main track.

Owned by a partnership that includes Mandysland Farm and Michael Jarvis and trained by Wally Dollase, Deputy Commander will be making his first start since finishing seventh of eight as the 4-5 favorite in the New Orleans Handicap on March 8.

He apparently didn’t care for the deeper track at the Fair Grounds, but has trained well over his home track. A big effort in the Californian, which goes at 1 1/8 miles, would probably earn Deputy Commander a start in the Gold Cup. The competition figures to be a lot stiffer there if Skip Away and defending champion Gentlemen show up.

With Corey Nakatani scheduled to ride, Deputy Commander will be looking for his first victory since the Super Derby on Sept. 28 at Louisiana Downs. He preceded that last year with wins in the Travers at Saratoga and Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park in his prep for the Swaps.

Mud Route is the one to beat, but the 4-year-old son of Strawberry Road, who has won four of 10 starts, has always come up short in stakes races.

His last two victories have come in optional claimers as the 3-10 favorite, but before that he was fourth as the 2-1 choice in the Oaklawn Handicap, second to Silver Charm in both the Strub and San Fernando and fourth in the Malibu Stakes.

Trained by Ron McAnally for owner Janis Whitham, Mud Route will be trying for his third win in four starts at Hollywood Park. He broke his maiden by 11 lengths on Dec. 15, 1996, then won earlier in the month (May 3) by 10 lengths.

With a small field assured, Don’t Blame Rio could be in line for another healthy payday. Even though he is 0 for 13 since the start of 1997, the gelding has banked over $193,000 during that period. At Santa Anita, he picked up third money in the four-horse Santa Anita Handicap and then was second in the San Bernardino Handicap.

“When an opportunity arises and you have a chance to jump your horse into a small field like we had in the Big ‘Cap, why not go for it?” trainer Doug Peterson said. “I’d say [Don’t Blame Rio] has earned his keep.”

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R.D. Hubbard, Hollywood Park’s chairman of the board who is hoping to see Skip Away make a second appearance at his track in the Gold Cup, will be trying to beat him with Puerto Madero in the Massachusetts Handicap on Saturday at Suffolk Downs.

Puerto Madero came from far back to win his U.S. debut going seven furlongs at Hollywood Park on April 30 after winning eight of 10 in South America.

Kent Desormeaux will ride Puerto Madero again and he is the 7-2 second choice in the field of seven. He will carry 116 pounds, 14 fewer than Skip Away, the defending champion who was established the 1-5 favorite. So Rough, Fleet Eagle, K.J.’s Appeal, Purple Passion and Black Forest were also entered Wednesday morning.

Horse Racing Notes

There was one perfect ticket in the Pick Six on Wednesday worth $91,773.60. The biggest upset of the day was provided by Power Approach, who won the eighth and final race at $75.60. . . . Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye had two wins Wednesday, taking the fifth by the slimmest of noses with 4-1 shot Winter Sojourn and the seventh with favored Reraise.