Santa Anita Stable Notes

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

LIVING LEGEND: PINCAY JR. ‘ENJOYING LIFE’ ON 77th B’DAY
BAFFERT 2YO FILLY KINZA EARNS 96 BEYER IN SWIFT DEBUT WIN
RISPOLI, MALDONADO CONTINUE FAST STARTS TO CLASSIC MEET
SPECIAL NEW YEAR’S DAY RACING SET FOR SANTA ANITA MONDAY
SANTA ANITA’S JAY COHEN TO PERFORM DURING THE ROSE PARADE

LAFFIT PINCAY JR. ‘ENJOYING LIFE’ ON 77th BIRTHDAY
Legendary jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. spent his 77th birthday Friday at Santa Anita Park enjoying the day with family and friends.
After the third race, which was named in his honor, Pincay was joined in the Winner’s Circle by the Santa Anita colony and others where he was presented a birthday cake.
“This has been a great day, really enjoying it,” Pincay said. “I also got some nice presents.”
Pincay, who is an avid golfer, said his birthday gifts included a new golf bag and laptop computer from his fiancé Edith.
“She’s going to get me into computers,” Pincay said with a chuckle. “I don’t know anything about them.”
Pincay retired from the saddle in April 2003 after amassing 9,530 victories, which at the time was the most-ever by a jockey. That record was later eclipsed by Russel Baze.
Born 1946 in Panama City, Panama, Pincay began his riding career at age 17 in his native country. He moved to the U.S. in 1966 where he initially rode under contract with prominent horseman Fred W. Hooper at Arlington Park.
By the 1970s, Pincay was a player on the national scene. He won the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey four times that decade and in 1975 was elected into Racing’s Hall of Fame.
In 1984, Pincay won his only Kentucky Derby aboard Swale for Woody Stephens. The following year he would add his fifth Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey.
Other notable achievements by Pincay are plentiful. He won seven Breeders’ Cup races, three consecutive Belmont Stakes from 1982-84 and led the nation in purse earnings seven times. He was also a 14-time leading rider at the Santa Anita Winter Meet.
Pincay continues to reside in nearby San Gabriel. Among his retirement activities is lending support to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
“A couple times a year I do something for the disabled jockeys, which I really like to do,” Pincay said. “I play golf, do my things around the house. I also travel a lot and go to my country Panama a few times year. I’m enjoying life.”

BAFFERT JUVENILE FILLY KINZA EARNS 96 BEYER IN SWIFT DEBUT WIN
Owner Michael Lund Petersen and trainer Bob Baffert, who in 2020 campaigned Gamine to an Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter, look to have another top-class filly on their hands.
Kinza, a 2-year-old New York-bred by Carpe Diem, served notice in Saturday’s eighth race with an eye-catching debut victory by 7 ½ lengths going six furlongs on dirt. Kinza’s winning time was a swift 1:09.79, which earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. According to Daily Racing Form’s Brad Free, Kinza’s Beyer is the highest of the year by a 2-year-old filly.
Kinza was overlooked by the bettors for her debut, going off as the 5-1 fifth choice in an 11-horse field. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Kinza dueled for the opening half mile with 3-1 favorite Ms Bo J before shaking loose of the that rival at the top of the stretch and drawing away.
Kinza was purchased by Petersen for $350,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton MIdlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. She had worked six times beginning Nov. 9 for her debut.

RISPOLI, MALDONADO CONTINUE FAST STARTS TO CLASSIC MEET
Jockeys Umberto Rispoli and Edwin Maldonado, who each won two races opening day, added two more victories Friday to continue their strong starts to the Classic Meet.
Rispoli won the Eddie Logan Stakes on turf with favorite Lord Bullingdon ($6.80) for trainer Michael McCarthy and the ninth and final race with favorite Guy Named Joe ($4) in a maiden special weight on turf for trainer Doug O’Neill. On opening day, Rispoli’s two wins included the GI American Oaks aboard Anisette for trainer Leonard Powell.
Maldonado won Friday’s second race with Soul Of Midnight ($5.60) for trainer Jesus Uranga and the third race with Man O Rose ($8) for trainer Jeff Mullins.
With four wins each through the first two days of racing, Rispoli and Maldonado lead the jockey’s standings by one over Antonio Fresu and Flavien Prat. Fresu’s three wins have all come in stakes, which includes Friday’s Blue Norther on turf with Medoro ($6.80) for trainer Peter Eurton.
Rispoli has five mounts scheduled for Saturday’s nine-race card including Lucky Score (5-1) in the GII Joe Hernandez for trainer Mark Casse and Yerwanthere (2-1) in the GIII Robert J. Frankel.
Maldonado is scheduled to ride two races including the Joe Hernandez. In the Hernandez, Maldonado is named on both Olympic Runner for Casse and his first call is Dancing Buck, who is relegated to the also-eligible list and trained by Richard Dutrow.

SANTA ANITA BUGLER JAY COHEN TO PERFORM DURING ROSE PARADE MONDAY
Santa Anita’s popular Bugler, Jay Cohen, who is currently sidelined as he recovers from back surgery, will represent Santa Anita on a world-wide stage Monday as he performs while riding in a vintage carriage during the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
“My doctor gave me the green light,” said Cohen from his home in Glendora on Saturday morning. “I’m going to be riding in a carriage provided by Scripps Miramar Ranch and I’ll be sitting for the entire time. I’m really looking forward to it. The carriage was built in 1901 and was originally used to bring people in and out of Yellowstone National Park.
“So, I’m going to be playing music from that era, from like 1900 to 1910. A lot of the song are well known today, so I’m looking forward to having some fun with it.
“My rehab is going well, so I hope to be back to the track by the middle of January.”
Here’s hoping!!
–Mike Willman

FINISH LINES: There was no training Saturday at Santa Anita due to rain. Training on Sunday will be limited to joggers with regular training expected to resume on Monday… Sunday’s feature on a nine-race card is the $100,000 Lady of Shamrock for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. Ruby Nell, ridden by Edwin Maldonado, is the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella …Santa Anita will host a special New Year’s Day card on Monday with first post at 12 p.m. PT. On-track promotions include $1 beers and sodas and $2 hot dogs for all those in attendance.