Frankel Settles for Riviera Win in Morvich

Although trainer Bobby Frankel wasn’t able to end his Breeders’ Cup losing streak in Florida, he did have some luck at home.

Riviera, the even-money favorite in the $111,400 Morvich Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita, got his fourth win in five starts in the United States after benefiting from a stewards’ inquiry.

Kahal, a 12-1 shot, crossed the wire first but was disqualified to second place for interference during the stretch run, and Riviera, who finished a nose behind, was made the official winner. The winning time was 1:12 4/5 for about 6 1/2 furlongs.

“He tried very hard, but he kept getting pushed around again and again in the stretch [by Kahal],” said Riviera’s jockey, Brice Blanc. “From the time we crossed the dirt onward, my horse was never able to really get comfortable and give me his best.

“Especially in the last sixteenth, we kept getting pushed and my horse became more and more awkward. Kahal ran unbelievable, but my horse has a huge acceleration that he wasn’t able to show today.”

Owned by Edmund Gann, Riviera, a 5-year-old, French-bred son of Kris, has six wins in 13 career starts and increased his earnings to $228,773.

Kahal, who hadn’t finished better than second in four previous starts in the U.S., rallied to get the lead with about a furlong to run, but the decision to disqualify himwasn’t a difficult one.

Emile Ramsammy, who rode the original winner, disagreed with the stewards’ call, however.

“It’s just unfortunate that he moved around the way he did in the stretch,” said Ramsammy. “He wasn’t tough to control or anything, he was just leaning out a little. It’s my belief that he should not have been disqualified.”

Howbaddouwantit, the 3-1 second choice, finished third, then came Try Jory, Sarigor, Young At Heart, Cozar, Rouen (who raced coupled with Riviera), Cuvee Brut and Quake.

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Jockey Laffit Pincay won with 9-1 shot Reba’s Gold and favored Daytime to move to within 25 victories of Bill Shoemaker’s all-time record of 8,833.