Stable Notes

HORSE OF YEAR DEBATE CONTINUES AS ANNOUNCEMENT NEARS

Horse of the Year 2009 will be announced Monday night at the annual Eclipse Awards dinner in Beverly Hills.

HORSE OF YEAR OPINIONS HOT AND HEAVY AS ANNOUNCEMENT NEARS

Horse of the Year 2009 will be announced Monday night at the annual Eclipse Awards dinner in Beverly Hills.

‘RENDEZVOUS’ ON SYNTHETIC IN SAN FERNANDO STAKES

Rendezvous makes his first start on synthetic in almost a year when he runs in Saturday’s Grade II $150,000 San Fernando Stakes for 4-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

The son of 1998 Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop is coming off five straight turf races, his most recent last Nov. 7, when he finished eighth in the Oak Tree Derby.

“He was never off the board on the grass until he ran twice at Santa Anita, and he didn’t hit the board in either one,” said Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

PAPA CLEM FIRES ANOTHER BULLET FOR SAN FERNANDO STAKES

On a drizzly Wednesday morning, Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem had his final blowout for Saturday’s Grade II $150,000 San Fernando Stakes for 4-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. Papa Clem went four furlongs in a bullet :47 seconds flat. It was the third consecutive bullet drill for Papa Clem since finishing third in the Grade I Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26.

“I had 46 and one,” Stute said. “I thought he was a little short last time. Hopefully, he should be fit this time.

NORTH OR SOUTH, TEAM HOLLENDORFER IS A WINNER

Jerry Hollendorfer’s focus on winning is consistent, whether he’s running a $5,000 claimer or a Grade I stakes winner. It’s the competitive spirit and attention to detail that has driven the 63-year-old trainer to win more than 5,000 races, making him one of only four men to surpass that lofty mark.

A legend in the Bay Area where he won 36 straight titles at Bay Meadows and 32 at Golden Gate Fields, Hollendorfer has made an impact in Southern California since breaking ground here recently.

DERBY FAVORITE LOOKIN AT LUCKY WORKS HALF-MILE IN BLINKERS

Wearing blinkers for the first time, Kentucky Derby Future Book favorite Lookin At Lucky worked four furlongs on Pro-Ride Saturday in preparation for his 3-year-old debut, probably in the San Felipe Stakes on March 13.

With regular rider Garrett Gomez aboard, the son of Smart Strike was clocked in :47.40, working in company with Indian Firewater, who was timed in :48.20.

“Gomez felt the horse might need blinkers,” Bob Baffert said, “because when he makes the lead, he feels like a sitting duck.

OLD BOLD CHIEFTAIN YOUNG AT HEART FOR SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL

Bold Chieftain is a happy warrior. At age seven, he is an exception in racing, still competing at stakes level as a full horse. Saturday, the millionaire son of Chief Seattle goes for his 15th victory from 33 career starts in the Grade II $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

“He’s been very special," said trainer Bill Morey Jr., who has been in the business for 40 of his 69 years.

GOMEZ REUNITES WITH FURTHEST LAND IN SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL

Garrett Gomez hopes to keep his record perfect with Furthest Land, his mount in Saturday’s Grade II $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.

Gomez was aboard the 5-year-old gelding when he won the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park by a neck last Sept. 26 for trainer Mike Maker. Furthest Land, owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov.

TALAMO ON THE NOWNOWNOW HORSE IN SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL

Between winning scores of races, riding the morning line Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge and starring in the popular TV show, “Jockeys,” Joe Talamo enjoyed a banner 2009. The teenage riding star hopes to enhance that success in 2010 starting Saturday when he rides Nownownow in the Grade II $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap.

Talamo won the Grade II San Fernando Stakes aboard the 5-year-old horse trained by Patrick Biancone last year.

PLETCHER HAS READY’S ECHO SET FOR SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL

Ready’s Echo missed a 24-1 upset by less than a length when finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita last Nov. 7.