The Arcadia finish was dominated by the top three wagering interests,
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Multiple Grade 2 hero Battle of Hastings (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]), third in
the Kilroe, didn’t have a clean trip in the Arcadia. After tracking the leader
on the rail throughout, Battle of Hastings was pocketed for a time in the
stretch drive. He eventually found room on the inside when Compari came out a
bit, but wound up third, a neck back of Fluke. Show was good for $2.40 as the
2-1 second choice.
The $1 exotics totaled $8.10 (exacta), $14 (trifecta) and $122 (2-4-1-5
superfecta) with Golden Balls (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) closing for fourth in his
return from an 18-month absence. Swift Winds (King of the Hunt) checked in
fifth, followed by Aitcho (Stormy Atlantic), who had prompted Compari early, and
Blue Chagall (Fr) (Testa Rossa).
Gomez recapped his trip aboard Compari.
“I thought I’d get some early pressure from Talamo (Joe, aboard Fluke),”
Gomez said, “but when we went to the first turn I looked to my outside and it
was Mike (Smith, aboard Aitcho). About the half-mile pole Mike came to me and we
were head and head and my horse could’ve cared less.
“He’s improved so much — he’s just a cool dude now. I mean, we went the half
in :47 and two and it felt like :50. He’s like a sprinter slowing ’em down.
Around the far turn, I knew they were backed up behind me and I knew there was
somebody down inside and I could hear Trevor (Denman) saying somebody was
‘crying out for room,’ but I didn’t know it was Battle of Hastings. When we
turned for home he just dropped his head and went. He’s just an awesome miler
right now.”
“These were real, real horses today,” Jones said of Compari’s Arcadia rivals.
“Those are some of the best turfers on the grounds. They came to him, but he
wouldn’t let them by. He’s got a big heart, this horse. He’s a special horse and
Garrett rode a great race. He seems to make his own luck, this horse. Hopefully,
he’ll continue on.”
Now boasting a sparkling 7-6-0-1 mark, the four-year-old Compari has
bankrolled $422,640. The bay gelding opened his career with a third against
maiden rivals last February at Santa Anita. Compari has not tasted defeat since,
breaking his maiden by 3 3/4 lengths next out and going on to take the Snow
Chief S. before being put on the shelf last summer. He returned to take an
allowance on December 17 at Hollywood Park and began 2010 with a 1 3/4-length
score in the Sensational Star H. on New Year’s Day at Santa Anita. Compari was
scheduled to line up in the Sunshine Millions Classic on the Pro-Ride, but was
scratched after developing a cough. After that hiccup, he came right back to win
the February 28 Crystal Water H. at this same course and distance.
Compari is out of the unraced Dixieland Band mare Southern Charm and has an
unraced juvenile half-brother named Dixieland Blues (In Excess [Ire]). His dam
is a daughter of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Fantasy Lover (Raja Baba), who is
herself a half-sibling to the likes of multiple Grade 1-winning sire Bien Bien
(Manila) and dual Grade 3 victor Dr. Schwartzman (Fluorescent Light). Fantasy
Lover is also a half-sister to Winter’s Gone (Dynaformer), the dam of Grade 1
scorers Spring at Last (Silver Deputy) and Sharp Lisa (Dixieland Band) as well
as Grade 2 heroine Sharp Susan (Touch Gold). This is the same family as champion
Forward Gal (Native Charger).
Jones said that he would see how Compari came out of this race before making
definite plans for his next race, but mentioned the May 1 Woodford Reserve (G1)
at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day and the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at
Hollywood Park on May 31 as possibilities.