A Chance Encounter Results in a Grade I Victory

On April 16, 2003, owner Tom Mankiewicz wanted trainer John Sadler to claim a mare named Nice Fish for $16,000.

Fortunately, yes fortunately, for him, three others wanted to claim Nice Fish that day at Santa Anita and Sadler lost the shake for her.

After informing Mankiewicz by phone that Nice Fish, who had won easily as the 4-5 favorite, was headed to another barn, Sadler told the owner he was interested in claiming another horse, Victory Encounter, in the day’s final race.

The price was steeper -- $32,000 -- but Mankiewicz gave Sadler the go-ahead.

A nine-length winner against maidens that afternoon, Victory Encounter has won six of nine for Mankiewicz and Sadler and became a Grade I winner on Sunday when she rallied from last to take the $250,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The longest shot at 7-1 in a field reduced to four after Coconut Girl and Beaucette were scratched, the 4-year-old daughter of Victory Speech lagged well off the pace under jockey Alex Solis, saved ground while staging her rally and won going away.

Completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.28, Victory Encounter, who has only been worse than third twice in 11 races, beat 4-5 favorite and pacesetter Adoration by 2 1/2 lengths.

“One of the reasons we were in here was to try and get a placing in a Grade I,” Sadler said. “I was hoping to be third, but the way it worked out -- that we won -- is obviously wonderful.

“At first, I thought [jockey] Alex [Solis] let her drop too far out of it. I mean, I thought she was too far back, just watching her with my own eyes. But Alex said she was giving him a good feeling and he saw they were really running out front.”

The time was a fast 46.26 for the half and 1:09.76 for six furlongs.

“So, full credit to the jockey for knowing exactly what to do. I think Alex is the best rider in the country right now,” Sadler said.

Adoration, who was positioned in second early when winning the Santa Margarita Handicap in her most recent race on March 14, made the lead immediately on Sunday when she outbroke 8-5 second choice Star Parade, but trainer Dave Hofmans wasn’t thrilled she had the early advantage.

“I expected to see Star Parade in front of us the whole way,” he said. “It surprised me a lot. I didn’t like it. Who wants to be pushed by a speed horse? I didn’t want her on the lead with a horse like Star Parade chasing her. That’s impossible.”

Victory Encounter earned $150,000 with her win in the Vanity.

By the way, Nice Fish -- the horse Mankiewicz and Sadler wanted to claim -- has fallen upon hard times, running around the $3,200 claiming level these days.

*

Bear Fan, the 7-5 second choice, made it three victories in a row with a five-length decision over favored Harmony Lodge and three others in the $147,000 Genuine Risk Handicap at Belmont Park.

Owned by Peter Fan and trainer-breeder Wesley Ward, the 5-year-old Pine Bluff mare ran six furlongs in 1:08.85.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Triple Crown Ratings

Tribune Co. ratings for 3-year-olds leading up to the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

*--* Horse Trainer Jockey St W P S Last Race Next Race 1. Smarty John Stewart 7 7 0 0 Kentucky Derby Preakne Jones Servis Elliott (1st) ss 2. Lion Heart Patrick Mike 6 3 3 0 Kentucky Derby Preakne Biancon Smith (2nd) ss e 3. The Nick Shane 9 4 2 1 Kentucky Derby Preakne Cliff’s Edge Zito Sellers (5th) ss 4. Imperialism Kristin Kent 16 5 4 2 Kentucky Derby Preakne Mulhall Desorme (3rd) ss aux 5. Eddington Mark Jerry 6 2 2 2 Wood Memorial Preakne Hennig Bailey (3rd) ss 6. Rock Hard Jason Gary 4 2 1 1 Santa Anita Preakne Ten Orman Stevens Derby (2nd) ss 7. Limehouse Todd Jose 10 5 0 3 Kentucky Derby To be Pletche Santos (4th) Determi r ned 8. Ashado Todd John 9 6 2 1 Kentucky Oaks To be Pletche Velazqu (1st) Determi r ez ned 9. Water Linda To be 11 5 2 1 Federico Tesio Preakne Cannon Albert determi (1st) ss ned 10. Read the Rick Robby 8 5 0 0 Kentucky Derby To be Footnotes Violett Albarad (7th) Determi e o ned

*--*

Triple Crown panel: Bill Christine, Los Angeles Times, Dave Joseph, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Tom Keyser, Baltimore Sun, Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune and Paul Moran, Newsday.