Comfortable Victory for Mazel Trick

Since going from the turf in France to the dirt in the United States, Mazel Trick has moved to a new level.

Trained by Bobby Frankel for owners Charles and Audrey Kenis, the 3-year-old son of Phone Trick is now unbeaten in two tries on the dirt after knocking off favored Dixie Dot Com in the $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Stretched out to 1 1/16 miles after winning a sprint at Santa Anita last month, the 2-1 second choice led every step of the way under jockey Kent Desormeaux and went on to win by two lengths in 1:41 2/5.

This was the fourth win in eight starts for Mazel Trick, who was in the money in five of his races on turf in Europe.

“I didn’t send him at all,” Desormeaux said. “The first fraction [23 2/5] was moderate and when the posse came and attacked, this little guy was up to the challenge.

“He just led the procession through the lane. Before the race, [Frankel] said, ‘It doesn’t matter if he’s three in front or three behind the leader, just make sure you’re comfortable,’ and he was quite comfortable the whole way.”

Dixie Dot Com, the 6-5 favorite and the colt many thought would have the early lead, finished eight clear of 5-2 third choice Opine, then came Clover Hunter. Lucky Sandman was scratched earlier in the day.

Horse Racing Notes

Western Woman, who won the Cinderella Stakes locally earlier in the year, is the 8-5 favorite today against five other 2-year-old fillies in the $84,000 Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park. Owned by Henry Pabst and trained by Frank Olivares, Western Woman will be ridden by Laffit Pincay and drew the outside post in the seven-furlong Moccasin. Completing the field are Comical Cookie, Valid Miss Pick, Exbourne Free, Ode To Elaine--the 5-2 second choice--and Perfect Six. . . . Fleet Lady, making her first start for trainer Craig Dollase and her first since finishing fourth in the Vanity on June 27, was fourth in the $200,000 Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap on Saturday. Alex Solis was aboard. Dream Scheme, an 11-1 shot, won the race in 1:34 2/5.