Flores, Aboard Dimitrova, Makes All the Right Moves

No wonder Jim Pegram, the longtime agent for David Flores, fought to keep his jockey on Dimitrova in Saturday’s $750,000 American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

Making her first start outside Ireland, the 3-year-old Swain filly, who was never far off the pace, drew away in the final eighth of a mile to win for the third time in six races, beating 13 of her peers from various points on the globe.

In winning by two lengths in 1:59.98 for the 1 1/4 miles on turf, Dimitrova, who is owned by Joseph Higgins, paid $11.60 as the 9-2 second choice.

Given the original call on Dimitrova three weeks ago by trainer Dermot Weld, Pegram was startled to see Patrick Smullen, who had ridden the filly in four of her first five races, named when entries were taken on Wednesday.

Smullen, Weld’s contract rider, had been named on another horse for the trainer in a Group I overseas, but when the horse was scratched because of an injury, Smullen was tabbed to handle Dimitrova. In Ireland, a contract rider gets preference even if a call has been given to another jockey.

Pegram immediately requested a hearing with the Hollywood Park stewards, who decided Higgins would either have to let Flores ride or pay double jockey fees -- whatever Dimitrova earned on Saturday -- if Smullen rode.

Although Smullen didn’t get to make a trip to California, don’t feel too sorry for him. He won another race -- albeit less lucrative -- for Weld in Ireland. Trainer and jockey teamed to win the Brownstone Stakes, a Group III, at Leopardstown with the 3-year-old filly Perfect Touch.

Flores, who didn’t have a mount in the inaugural American Oaks last year, felt his confidence grow when he reached the paddock and got his first look at Dimitrova.

“The moment I saw her, I could tell there was something special there,” he said. “[Weld] told me exactly what to expect from this filly. I was expecting to be closer but she was very comfortable where she was. I was never nervous. I was just waiting patiently and she gave me a tremendous run the last eighth of a mile.”

This was the second time in less than a year Weld had invaded Inglewood and made off with a rich race for females. He won the $500,000 Matriarch on Dec. 1 with Dress To Thrill, who was ridden by Smullen.

“Everything worked out,” said Weld, who also trained Dimitrova’s dam (The Caretaker) and her granddam (Go Feather Go). “She’s a very sound, mentally tough filly and I thought Flores gave her a perfect ride.”

Sand Springs, the 7-1 pacesetter who entered with three wins in a row over the Churchill Downs turf course, saved the place by a neck over a troubled Atlantic Ocean, one of two trainer Bob Baffert started in the Oaks.

Santa Catarina was his other runner and she finished a no-excuse fourth as the 5-2 favorite. Well-positioned by jockey Gary Stevens, she came up wanting in the final quarter of a mile in her first start on the turf.

*

Joey Franco ($7) made it three victories in four starts since joining trainer Darrell Vienna’s barn in winning the $300,000 Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Invitational Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Owned and bred in California by Jerry Frankel, the 4-year-old Avenue Of Flags colt prevailed by a head to give leading jockey Patrick Valenzuela the fourth of his five victories on the card.

Completing the seven furlongs in 1:21.56, Joey Franco had to survive a claim of foul by Kent Desormeaux, the rider of runner-up Publication.

*

Three weeks after having his win streak ended in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, Mineshaft, the 3-5 favorite, toyed with last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi and six others to win the $500,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.

Making his first start in New York, the 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy tracked the moderate pace set by Judge’s Case and took the lead around the turn. Although Volponi, the 5-2 second choice, made a move, Mineshaft shook him off with encouragement from jockey Robby Albarado and won by 2 1/4 lengths. He ran the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.57

Trained by Neil Howard for owner-breeders Will Farish, James Elkins and W.T. Webber, Jr., Mineshaft has won seven of nine -- all on the main track -- since coming to the U.S. last year.