‘Silver Is Golden on the Turf

A winner of six of 13 races and $680,892 on the main track, Badge Of Silver now has to be considered a threat on any surface.

Making his California and turf debut on a soggy Sunday at Santa Anita, the 6-year-old Silver Deputy horse led throughout to win the $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap, the first graded stakes of 2006 in Arcadia.

Ridden for the first time by Patrick Valenzuela, Badge Of Silver, the 4-1 third choice in a field with eight betting interests, completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.02 over a course labeled good. Atlando, part of the Gary Tanaka-owned entry that was the 5-2 favorite, finished second, 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Toasted was third.

Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Bobby Frankel, Badge Of Silver is out of a Silver Hawk mare, so Frankel was hopeful the dark bay would take to the grass.

“The race went exactly the way I thought it would,” Frankel said after his 114th stakes win at Santa Anita, second to the late Charlie Whittingham’s 204. “I was a little concerned about the soft going, but he’s a good horse and he’s got a good turn of foot. We’ll probably stay on turf with him.”

This was the first win in the San Gabriel, a Grade II, for Valenzuela, who was able to slow the pace considerably (49.45 for the half-mile, 1:14.11 for six furlongs) and came away from the field while running his last eighth of a mile in about 12 seconds.

Things didn’t turn out so well for the other first-time turf runner in the San Gabriel. Choctaw Nation, who had been training well for his first start since finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park, finished seventh. The 6-year-old gelding has lost eight of his last nine after beginning his career with five consecutive victories.

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In a race reduced to seven starters after being taken off the turf, Make Mine Minnie, the 3-1 second choice, beat 6-1 shot Zoemeg by 1 3/4 lengths to win the $79,400 Blue Norther at Santa Anita.

Reunited with Garrett Gomez, who was aboard for her maiden win Sept. 29, the 3-year-old Honour And Glory filly ran the mile in 1:35.94. She is trained by Jeff Mullins for owner Gayle Fogelson.

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A pair of just-turned 3-year-olds remained perfect on the turf with victories in stakes at Calder.

J’ray, a daughter of Distant View, is now four for four on grass after a one-length win at 1-2 odds over pacesetter Stolen Prayer and seven others in the $100,000 Tropical Park Oaks. And Barbaro is three for three on the surface after his score in the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby.

Owned by Lawrence Goldman and trained by Todd Pletcher, J’ray, who was ridden by John Velazquez, completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.88. She has earned her four wins on grass at four different tracks -- Saratoga, Keeneland, Laurel and now Calder.

A son of Dynaformer trained by Mike Matz for Lael Stables, Barbaro won by 3 3/4 lengths over 18-1 shot Wise River and 10 others. Edgar Prado rode the winner, who ran the distance in 1:46.65.