Skip Away Gets Close, but Can’t Overtake Cigar

Thanks to one of the biggest upsets in years, Cigar remains the richest thoroughbred in history.

Skip Away, who was supposed to soar past $10 million in career earnings and past Cigar, was a distant third in the slop at Belmont Park, foiled in his quest to win the $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup for a third consecutive year.

Trainer Allen Jerkens, who gained a reputation as a giant killer many years ago with three upsets of Kelso and two of Secretariat, did it again Saturday with 34-1 shot Wagon Limit.

Beaten on three occasions earlier this year by Skip Away, the 4-year-old son of Conquistador Cielo benefited from a fast early pace and drew off to win by 5 1/2 lengths under jockey Robbie Davis.

Gentlemen, the 2-1 second choice, engaged Skip Away from the outset with his new blinkers, moved ahead 1998’s horse of the year after six furlongs in 1:09 3/5, and looked home free with Corey Nakatani.

However, he shortened stride late after opening up 3 1/2 lengths with a furlong to run and Wagon Limit took advantage, winning for the sixth time in 20 starts for owner Joseph Shields.

Besides keeping Skip Away, who was a 2-5 favorite, from passing Cigar, the loss ended a nine-race winning streak for Carolyn and Sonny Hine’s gray horse.

“I couldn’t feel anything amiss,” jockey Jerry Bailey said. “But he’s usually smoking through the lane and today he was just galloping home.

“I’m very disappointed. I’ve been here before. I’ve been up and down. I tip my hat to [Jerkens]. He’s a wonderful horseman.”

Although Skip Away was not lame, Sonny Hine found some swelling in his right front leg when the horse got back to the barn.

“A little [swelling] now means a lot more later,” Hine said. “He’s very sound at the moment. We’ll just have to wait and see.

“I wanted to have the money record, but I’m not going to go for the record at the expense of the horse. If that means not going to the Breeders’ Cup [Classic on Nov. 7], then it means not going to the Breeders’ Cup. He’s walking fine right now. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Later, veterinarian Jim Hunt said the problem didn’t appear to be serious.

“He has what is called a ‘wind puff’ and he’s dealt with it all year,” Hunt said. “The tendon is encased in a sheath and that sheath is lubricated. With a wind puff, fluid builds up and causes [the swelling]. He should be all right in a few days.

“The injury is cosmetic. It looks a lot worse than it is and is certainly a lot worse for trainers than it is for horses.”

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After Excellent Meeting’s expected victory in the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes on Saturday, owners John and Betty Mabee will go for a sweep of Oak Tree’s two major races for 2-year-olds when they are represented by Daring General, the 8-5 favorite, in today’s $200,000 Norfolk Stakes.

Making a successful debut around two turns, Excellent Meeting, the 1-2 favorite against six rivals, trailed early, moved closer while wide, then took charge in midstretch from 2-1 second choice Antahkarana by two lengths in 1:37 3/5 for the mile.

This was the third victory in six starts for the General Meeting filly, who picked up her first stakes win in the Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 29.

“This filly is just unbelievable,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who also won the 1997 Oak Leaf with Vivid Angel. “It just took a while for her to come along.”

Antahkarana, who was also second to Excellent Meeting in the Debutante, finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of 27-1 shot Stylish Talent.

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Oak Tree didn’t reach the $2-million figure it guaranteed for the Pick Six on Saturday, so the track--actually, an undisclosed insurance company--had to pitch in $163,269 to hit the magic number.

The Pick Six pool was $1,836,731 and the failure to reach the guaranteed figure could be a sign that the gimmick, which first was used by Hollywood Park this summer, is being overused.

Oak Tree also will have a $2-million guaranteed Pick Six on Oct. 31, California Cup Day.

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In other stakes on Belmont Park’s Breeders’ Cup Preview Day, Sharp Cat rolled to an 11-length win in the $400,000 Beldame; The Groom Is Red, who is owned by Boston Celtic Coach Rick Pitino, scored a 6-1 upset in the $400,000 Champagne; Buck’s Boy wired the field as the favorite in the $500,000 Turf Classic Invitational; and 6-1 shot Confessional won the $400,000 Frizette by 10 1/2 lengths under Jerry Bailey. Corey Nakatani rode both Sharp Cat and The Groom Is Red. . . . Touch Gold will be heavily favored in his first start since running poorly in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 15 when he takes on only three rivals in the $150,000 Fayette today at Keeneland. . . . Silverbulletday, who suffered her first loss in four starts in the Del Mar Debutante, will try to make amends under Gary Stevens in the $400,000 Alcibiades at Keeneland. . . . Magical Allure, who is unbeaten in five starts for owners John and Betty Mabee and trainer Bob Baffert, is the 5-2 choice against seven other fillies and mares in the $175,000 Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap today at Santa Anita.

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In the Money

All-time thoroughbred money leaders through Saturday:

1. Cigar: $9,999,815

2. Skip Away: $9,616,360

3. Alysheba: $6,679,242

4. John Henry $6,597,947

5. Singspiel: $5,952,825