(from Santa Anita report)
Bobby Frankel equaled Charlie Whittingham’s Santa Anita record of 869 training victories when his 6-5 favorite Les Grands Trois captured Wednesday’s featured $50,800 Mister Frisky allowance event.
Jockey David Flores rallied Les Grands Trois to a one-length win over Abalanche in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds to remain unbeaten following a nine-length maiden victory at Belmont Park last July. The winner, a Kentucky-bred son of Officer, covered the distance in 1:16.06 while perhaps establishing himself as a Triple Crown candidate.
“It’s a big deal because Charlie is a legend," the 65-year-old Frankel in the winner’s circle afterward. "To get that close and to tie him is an honor.”
Frankel has one entrant on Thursday’s program that gets underway at 1 p.m. He will saddle Sagitta Ra, who is 7-2 on the morning line, in the day’s fifth race.
Unbeaten Les Grands Trois paid $4.40, $2.80, and $2.20. Abalanche returned $3.60 and $2.40 while the pacesetter Black Seventeen paid $2.60 to show.
Les Grands Trois, purchased for $220,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale, earned $30,000 for owner Live Oak Plantation to bring his two-race total to $55,800.
(Chart, Equibase)
Trainer Bobby Frankel ties Charlie Whittingham's record 869 wins at Santa Anita.
