David Copperfield Does His Magic

David Copperfield now has something more than a win over Fusaichi Pegasus on his resume.

Making his first start on turf and ridden for the first time by jockey Victor Espinoza, the 3-year-old son of Halo became a graded stakes winner Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Slowing the pace down--24, 48 3/5 and 1:12 4/5 for six furlongs--in the $107,600 Cinema Handicap, the 3-1 second choice rolled to a four-length win over 11-10 favorite Duke Of Green in 1:47 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.

David Copperfield now has three wins in five starts. His victory over the Kentucky Derby winner came in a maiden race here last Dec. 11.

In his last start, at Golden Gate Fields April 15, he washurt by a quick pace.

The victory in the Cinema ‘Cap gave Espinoza his fourth of the day and moved him out of a tie for the the top spot in the Hollywood Park jockey standings. He has 30 victories, four more than Corey Nakatani, who won the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap with Manndar Saturday at Belmont Park.

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Many top thoroughbreds have won the Californian since the race was first run in 1954.

Between 1970-80, winners included Cougar II, Quack and Ancient Title (twice each), Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, J. O. Tobin and Crystal Water. Before that, Dr. Fager, Swaps and Nodouble were successful in the prep for the Hollywood Gold Cup, and, in more recent years, Sunday Silence, Greinton, Precisionist and Desert Wine have won.

When the Californian is run for the 47th time today, there will be no such talent, a commentary on how weak the handicap division is throughout the country.

Only five horses were entered in the Grade II and the 7-5 favorite is Early Pioneer, a former claimer who has blossomed after being taken for $62,500 by trainer Vladimir Cerin for owners David and Holly Wilson.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Rahy, Early Pioneer has two wins and two seconds in his last four starts, including an upset of General Challenge in the San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita two months ago.

In his most recent start, Early Pioneer, who will again be ridden by Matt Garcia, was second, beaten a half-length, by Out Of Mind in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap on May 13. Out Of Mind returned to finish second to Running Stag in the Massachusetts Handicap eight days ago.

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The $108,300 Desert Stormer Handicap turned out much better for trainer Noble Threewitt and jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. than had their most recent stakes collaboration.

A week after Old Topper finished last at 3-1 in the Los Angeles Handicap, favored Theresa’s Tizzy led throughout, beating Hookedonthefeelin by four lengths in 1:09 1/5 for six furlongs.

Trained by Threewitt for a partnership, Theresa’s Tizzy, who paid $5.20 as the 8-5 choice, won for the 13th time in 30 career starts. She’ll probably return in the $200,000 A Gleam Handicap on July 9.

“We claimed this mare for $16,000 a couple of years ago and she’s worth every penny,” said Threewitt, 89, who ranks sixth on the all-time list at Hollywood Park with 491 victories. “She’s the kind of horse who makes it fun to go to the barn, a real professional. And don’t underestimate her talent.

“This mare tries so hard every time and when she gets to the lead, she’s hard to catch.”

Hookedonthefeelin, who had won her previous two starts at Hollywood Park as a 2-year-old, finished two lengths clear of Seth’s Choice, then came My Wild Rose, Olympic Charmer, Reciclada and Santa Monica.

Horse Racing Notes

B. Mr. Lucky, a 13-1 shot, rallied in the final furlong to beat 8-5 second choice Road To Slew and win the $100,000 Silky Sullivan Handicap at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by Joe Castro for a partnership that includes trainer Ed Moger Jr., B. Mr. Lucky completed the mile on turf in 1:37 1/5. Cavonnier, the 6-5 favorite under Russell Baze, finished fourth. . . . King Cugat, arguably the top 3-year-old turf runner in the country, won the $250,000 Jefferson Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs as the 1-2 favorite. It was his fourth win in six starts on grass. The son of Kingmambo is trained by Bill Mott and owned by Don Little’s Centennial Farms.