Speak In Passing Gives Frankel Stakes Sweep

Trainer Bobby Frankel completed a sweep of the Santa Anita turf stakes races Saturday when Speak In Passing, in his first start in more than 15 months, won the $137,500 San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT).

The San Simeon was the 11th stakes victory for Frankel during the 85-day Santa Anita winter/spring meet, which ends on Sunday. The single-season record is 16, set by Bob Baffert in 1998-99. Baffert has 10 stakes wins this meeting.

Earlier on the card, Frankel saddled Megahertz for victory in the $250,000 Santa Barbara Handicap (gr. IIT) for older filles and mares.

Speak In Passing, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by Danzig, rallied on the outside from mid-pack to win the San Simeon by a half-length under David Flores and 118 pounds. Time for about 6 ½ furlongs on turf was 1:12.87.

Spinelessjellyfish closed well along the inside for second under Matt Garcia. Pacesetter Rocky Bar, with Gary Stevens up, held third, a half-length behind Spinelessjellyfish.

Thunder Bullet, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth, one length behind stablemate Rocky Bar.

"He hadn't raced in so long I thought he'd get tired," Flores said. "But he ran a great race. He picked it up when he had to. The only other time I was on him was his first race in this country and we finished second. He seems like a better horse now. "

Speak In Passing earned $82,500 for the Juddmonte Farms, Inc. He has a 5-6-0 record from 13 starts with earnings of $284,776. In November of 2001, he was second in both the Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Santa Anita downhill course and the Hollywood Turf Express (gr. IIT). His last start came in optional claiming race he won at Santa Anita on Jan. 4 of last year.

The 2-1 second choice in the eight-horse field, the winner paid $6.80, $4 and $3.40. Spinelessjellyfish returned $5.80 and $3.80. Rocky Bar's show price was $4.20.

(Chart, Equibase)