War Chant Triumphs in San Rafael

Despite doing some sightseeing along the way, heavily favored War Chant was good enough to win his stakes debut Saturday at Santa Anita.

The 1-2 favorite against five other 3-year-olds in the $200,000 San Rafael Stakes, War Chant remained unbeaten in three starts with a half-length victory over 7-2 second choice Archer City Slew.

The son of Danzig, trained by Neil Drysdale for owners Irv and Marjorie Cowan--who also raced War Chant’s mother, Hollywood Wildcat--shied from a promotional sign under the rail just inside the sixteenth pole, but he has more than enough talent to overcome his inexperience.

One of two legitimate Kentucky Derby prospects trained by Drysdale--the other is the $4-million yearling Fusaichi Pegasus, who has won two of three--War Chant shot through an opening along the inside down the backside to assume the lead from Archer City Slew, then asserted his superiority in the final furlong to win in 1:36 2/5 for the mile.

“It was a good race for him because he needs to get some serious racing under his belt,” Drysdale said. “It wasn’t a perfect scenario when he had to start moving on him half a mile out.

“Anyway, it worked out all right. It showed he has some mettle. [Jockey] Kent [Desormeaux] tapped him at the eighth pole and that was all he needed. So far, so good. We’re leaning toward the Santa Anita Derby [on April 8] for his next start.”

Archer City Slew saved the place by a neck over Cocky, then came Commendable, Grey Memo and Tender Offer. Hugh Hefner and Gilty Moment were scratched.

Horse Racing Notes

Trainer Bruce Headley had a 1-2 finish in the $161,550 San Carlos Handicap, winning with Son Of A Pistol, the lesser-regarded half of the entry that included Kona Gold. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Son Of A Pistol ended a seven-race losing streak, scoring by a nose in 1:22 for the seven furlongs. The entry paid $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite. . . . Jockey Chris Antley has hired John DeSantis to be his new agent, effective this morning. Antley had been represented by Ron Anderson, who was recently hired to be Jerry Bailey’s new agent. DeSantis has been the agent for Sandy Hawley, among others. . . . Snowberg, second to Manistique in the Santa Maria Handicap last month, is the 2-1 favorite against six rivals in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap today.