A Golden Opportunity for Frankel to End Skid

Bobby Frankel has a perfect way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his only victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup--win another one.

In 1991, Marquetry, a 4-year-old Conquistador Cielo colt owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, posted the biggest upset in the history of Hollywood Park’s most famous race.

Carrying only 110 pounds, the 27-1 longshot led every step under jockey David Flores and held on to defeat 7-5 favorite Farma Way by a head.

Frankel and Juddmonte are back this year, but the public won’t be looking the other way if they win the Gold Cup for a second time Sunday.

In fact, the Hall of Fame trainer will saddle 40% of the field, sending out the Juddmonte-owned duo of Skimming, who will try to win the race the same way Marquetry did, and Aptitude, who will be rallying from last.

Since the $56.80 surprise a decade ago, Frankel has taken 10 more shots at the Gold Cup. The best he has done is run second four times--Marquetry, who was beaten by Best Pal when trying to defend his title in 1992; Bertrando (1993); Fanmore (1994) and Tinners Way, who chased the great Cigar in 1995.

Against a lineup that includes only two other serious challengers--Captain Steve and Futural--Frankel is in good position to end his Gold Cup losing streak.

A 5-year-old son of Nureyev, Skimming has come a long way since he was shipped to the United States as a colt because he bled in his second start in England after breaking his maiden at Wolverhampton, among the country’s lesser tracks.

Before that, his best performance in four races in France was a second in his debut on Oct. 19, 1998 at Deauville.

Like Marquetry, who showed better form overseas, expectations weren’t great for Skimming when he came to the U.S.

Skimming won two optional claimers at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, was second to Sir Bear in the Cornhusker Handicap on July 5, 2000 at Prairie Meadows in Iowa, then came into his own at Del Mar.

In a matter of three weeks, Skimming won the San Diego Handicap by eight lengths, then became the last horse to beat Tiznow in 2000 by winning the $1-million Pacific Classic by two lengths.

A trip to New York followed and, after two subpar efforts, including a 37-length defeat in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, Skimming was off for nearly seven months.

He returned with a second to Futural in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap on May 5, then turned the tables five weeks later in the Californian, leading all the way under regular rider Garrett Gomez.

“I didn’t have any expectations at all for him when he got here,” Frankel said. “He started training well when he did arrive, but you never expect anything like this to happen.

“He’s sounder now than he was last year, and, if you look at his form, he wasn’t as good last year as he is now. I think when he won the San Diego, he realized he was a good horse and he’s showing it now.

“When he got back East, he had some problems and I don’t think the track [at Belmont Park] helped him.”

Considering that Skimming had his finest races when in front and Marquetry went gate-to-wire in his biggest victory, you’d assume they would remind Frankel of each other.

“Not really,” he said. “Skimming is a quicker horse than Marquetry. You had to ride Marquetry out of the gate to get him to make the lead. When Skimming is right, he falls out of the gate. He makes the horses running against him look like they didn’t break well.”

Clearly, Gomez has been a good fit with Skimming. The rider has won three of five races since first teaming with the horse in the San Diego.

“We’ve been lucky together,” Frankel said. “I think Garrett’s won 10 stakes for me and I’ve only put him on about 15 horses. I guess there is good karma. Certain trainers do well with certain jockeys.”

No rider has been able to find the key to Aptitude, so Frankel has turned to another jockey he has had recent success with--Laffit Pincay, Jr. The world’s winningest rider entered today having won with five of the 10 horses he has ridden for Frankel during the Hollywood Park meet.

The A.P. Indy colt has won only two of 11 races but will be remembered for running second to Fusaichi Pegasus in last year’s Kentucky Derby.

When Fusaichi Pegasus and Preakness winner Red Bullet were forced to miss the Belmont Stakes, Aptitude had his chance. But he finished second as the 17-10 favorite, beaten in 1 1/2 lengths by Commendable in a slow race.

His only victory since he broke his maiden on New Year’s Day 2000 at Santa Anita was an allowance victory as the 1-10 favorite at Churchill Downs on Oct. 29.

Although Aptitude has been ridiculed and called overrated, Frankel remains optimistic. But he understands the criticism.

“To be honest with you, I can’t blame [the critics],” he said. “But they’re not living with the horse and I am. He gave me a big thrill running second in the Derby.

“He’s training really well and he’s sound, but I’ve noticed that as the A.P. Indys get a little older, they get a little lazier.”

To shake things up, Frankel put blinkers on Aptitude for the first time one morning last week, and the colt, who has earned $735,410 despite his lack of wins, will wear them in the Gold Cup on Sunday. Frankel said Aptitude was more aggressive with blinders.

“Skimming’s going to control the race, but if they go after him too early, they might set it up for Aptitude,” Frankel said. “We’ll take a little hold of Aptitude and let him finish instead of riding him along.”