by Dan Farley
JOCKEY Garrett Gomez, who topped the riders’ list for prize-money in 2006, began the New Year in style when he won two Graded stakes on the Monday card at Santa Anita.
First came the Grade 3 El Conejo Handicap, in which Gomez brought the six-year-old gelding Harvard Avenue to beat Doug O’Neill-trained stablemate Areyoutalkintome by a nose.
Proud Tower Too, last seen winning the Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, was a length back in third on his comeback after contesting the early pace in the 5 ½ f event.
Gomez said of the winner: “He kept himself a little more in the race today. I thought I won it – but I thought I was going to win by a half-length the way he was rolling.”
In the Grade 3 Monrovia Handicap run over 6 ½ f on turf, Gomez guided the Chris Clement-trained Society Hostess to a one-length victory over Clinet. Kitty Hawk was a further length back third. Sent off the 9-5 favourite, Society Hostess was winning for the seventh time in15 outings and took her earnings to $354,797. Moyglare Stud farm bred and owns Society Hostess.
“Everything I ask her to do, she does,” said Gomez. “She’s just a nice filly.”
Also on Monday
Calder, Tropical Park Derby G3, 1m1f turf: Soldier’s Dancer, the 6-4 favourite, came from off the pace to win the Grade 3 Tropical Park Derby over 1m1f on turf, registering his second victory in three starts on the grass.
“This is a very good horse, because he got in some trouble and overcame it nicely,” said winning rider Cornelio Velasquez.
Trainer David Vivian was equally impressed. “After this performance, I might have to say he’s the best horse I’ve ever trained. I still think he can run on dirt. That’s probably where we'll go next with him, at Gulfstream, maybe the Holy Bull.”
