When Johanna Louise Glen-Teven’s PROUDINSKY (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) drove to a
three-quarters of a length score in Sunday’s $150,000
San
Gabriel H. (G2), he provided Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel with his
900th career victory at Santa Anita. Frankel has reigned as Santa Anita’s
all-time leading trainer since March 10, 2007, when he surpassed the legendary
Charlie Whittingham’s mark of 869.
“It’s nice that I’ve won that many races here, but I didn’t realize it,”
Frankel said after garnering number 900, which was also his fifth San Gabriel
trophy.
Proudinsky’s winner’s check of $90,000 could have furthered the pursuit of
another record. Jockey Garrett Gomez, who is $109,014 short of Jerry Bailey’s
record of $23,354,960 for purse earnings in one year, was originally named to
ride Proudinsky, but he was forced to take off his mounts after being involved
in a Saturday spill. Taking over in the saddle was Rafael Bejarano, who
ironically had last ridden Proudinsky to a runner-up finish in the 2007 San
Gabriel.
Bejarano settled the 6-5 favorite into a close stalking position along the
rail, tucked just behind his front-running stablemate, Porfido (Chi) (Mash One
[Chi]). As Porfido showed the way through splits of :23 4/5, :48 2/5 and 1:12
3/5, he was shadowed by Silent Soul (Afternoon Deelites) tracking on his
outside. Ferneley (Ire) (Ishiguru) was also well placed early, while Becrux (Ity)
(Glen Jordan) was content to bring up the rear.
Turning into the stretch, Bejarano managed to angle Proudinsky off the rail,
extricating him from the pocket, and they took aim on the tiring Porfido.
Ferneley was also on the move, however, and he soon threw down a stiff challenge
on the outside. Proudinsky dug in doggedly for the victory, reeling off 1 1/8
miles on the firm turf in 1:48 1/5 and paying $4.60, $3.20 and $2.80.
“We were behind all the speed, and we were going really slow, so he was
dragging me along,” Bejarano said. “We needed room at the top of the stretch and
the four horse (Silent Soul) was trying to keep me in, but we got through. He
gave me a big kick in the stretch and we needed it because the five (runner-up
Ferneley) ran a big race.”
The 9-1 Ferneley rewarded his backers with $7.80 and $5.80 and concluded the
$15.80 exacta ($1). Another length back came the late-running Medici Code (GB) (Medicean),
who finished third in the San Gabriel for the second straight year and returned
$3.80 at 6-1. The $1 trifecta was worth $55.70. Becrux endured traffic trouble
along the inside in the stretch and reported home fourth, ending the 2-5-1-9
superfecta that totaled $138 ($1). Porfido faded to fifth and was trailed by
Swift Winds (King of the Hunt) and Silent Soul. Obigado (Fr) (Enrique) and
Sartorial (Charismatic) were withdrawn.
Proudinsky has now bankrolled $790,384 from his 17-5-4-1 line. Stakes-placed
in his native Germany, he just missed by a nose in the 2006 Arlington Classic
(G3) in his American premiere. Proudinsky concluded his sophomore campaign with
a score in the Bay Meadows Derby (G3), and after a year on the sidelines, he
added placings in the Citation H. (G1) and San Gabriel to his record in late
2007. In his 2008 debut, the bay captured the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H.
(G2) at Fair Grounds. Proudinsky’s other notable efforts of the season include a
close second to presumptive champion Big Brown in the Monmouth S. and a fourth
in the Citation last time out.
Bred by Dr. R. Wilhelms, Proudinsky is out of the Dashing Blade mare
Proudeyes (Ger), making him a half-brother to German Group 3 hero Proudance (Tannenkonig).
This is the family of Proudwings (Dashing Blade), an English, German and Italian
highweight older mare at distances from seven to 9 1/2 furlongs.
Frankel has not yet mapped out a future target for Proudinsky.
“He had a really good trip and got through when he needed to,” the trainer
said of his San Gabriel. “He did his job. He’s a nice, honest horse, not a
top-class horse but a nice Group 2 horse. We’ll see what’s next, play it by
ear.”