Del Mar ‘Cap Again Is McCarron’s Race

Jockey Chris McCarron ended a drought of sorts Saturday at Del Mar.

His win aboard 3-1 second choice Bonapartiste in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap was his first in the race in 10 years after McCarron had won the Grade II four times between 1979-88.

Ridden to perfection by the Hall of Famer, Bonapartiste earned the first graded stakes victory of his career, beating 13-10 favorite River Bay by a head in 2:14 for the 1 3/8 miles on turf.

Owned by Fabien Ouaki Ecurie and trained by Ron McAnally, the 4-year-old son of the French sire Kendor has been extremely consistent since coming to the United States last fall.

A maiden with 13 losses when he arrived in California, Bonapartiste has won five times in nine starts for McAnally. The only time he has been worse than second in America was when he was a much-troubled sixth in the Hollywood Turf Cup last Dec. 14.

“He’s so classy,” McCarron said of the winner, who had been second to Magellan in the American Handicap and second to Subordination in the Eddie Read Handicap in his two previous starts. “He’s just so kind and generous in the mornings and wants to give you everything he has.”

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For the second Sunday in a row, the day’s main event doesn’t figure to have much drama.

Seven days ago, Sharp Cat did the expected when she toyed with her three rivals in the Chula Vista Handicap. Today, Old Trieste should have little trouble with his four opponents in the $200,000 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

An easy winner in his two starts at Hollywood Park--in the Affirmed Handicap and Swaps Stakes--after getting fried in the Kentucky Derby, the 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy is the 2-5 favorite in the one-mile race.

Stalwart Tsu, Grajagan and Christmas Boy, who finished a neck apart when running 1-2-3 in the restricted Harry Brubaker Handicap on Aug. 16, and Young At Heart complete the field.

Horse Racing Notes

Jockey Gary Stevens had recent surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee, which came a couple of weeks after he had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his left knee. Stevens, the national leader in purse earnings, hopes to return to action later this month. . . . Chief Bearhart, the champion grass horse of 1997, ended a two-race losing streak Saturday with a comfortable win in the $250,000 Niagara Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Saturday at Woodbine. He covered the 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:30 and paid $2.50 as the prohibitive favorite. . . . Lucky Roberto scored a $20.20 upset in the $200,000 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.