Nothing Has Changed for Big Jag

For the third consecutive time, Kona Gold was favored against Big Jag in the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita.

And, for the second time, Big Jag was the winner, beating his rival by a half-length in 1:21 for the seven furlongs. After getting beaten soundly in the El Conejo Handicap on Jan. 3, Big Jag beat Kona Gold by a head in the Palos Verdes Handicap on Jan. 30, then survived a stewards’ inquiry to win again Saturday.

Owned by Julius Zolezzi and trained by Tim Pinfield, the 6-year-old son of Kleven has now won nine of 17 lifetime and seven of his last eight. Kona Gold, who, surprisingly, wasn’t on the early lead in a paceless field, finished a half-length in front of Dramatic Gold, then came Lord Grillo and Gold Land.

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Remaining unbeaten in four starts on the Santa Anita turf course, Lord Smith scored a 7-1 upset, beating 3-2 favorite Hawksley Hill by a head in the $150,000 Arcadia Handicap.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Bruce Jackson, the 4-year-old, English-bred gelding got the lead entering the stretch, surrendered it briefly to Hawksley Hill late in the stretch, then came back on to win in 1:34 2/5 for the mile on turf. It was the fastest clocking of the meet for the distance on grass.

In a loss that was very similar to his defeat by a head versus Da Hoss in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Hawksley Hill finished five lengths clear of 8-5 second choice Ladies Din.

Horse Racing Notes

Looking for her seventh win in eight starts and third stakes win of the Santa Anita meeting, Manistique is the 2-5 favorite against only three opponents today in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Handicap. Owned by Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms and trained by John Shirreffs, Manistique will take on Victory Stripes, India Divina and Magical Allure in the 1 1/8-mile race. . . . Real Quiet, who will be making his first start since his heartbreaking loss to Victory Gallop in the Belmont Stakes last June, will be a prohibitive favorite against six others in the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap today at the Fair Grounds. . . . Abacus Andy, who won the sixth race at Hollywood Park last Nov. 13, has been disqualified from purse money after he tested positive for the prohibited substance promazine. The purse money also has been redistributed. Abacus Andy is trained by Randy Bradshaw, who confirmed recently he has accepted an offer and will begin working for Wayne Lukas on April 1.