Richard Mandella ends long Cinema Handicap drought
The first major stakes win of trainer Richard Mandella's illustrious career came with Bad 'n Big in the Cinema Handicap on July 24, 1977, at Hollywood Park.
Nearly 31 years later, Mandella, a member of the sport's Hall of Fame since 2001, picked up his second victory in the Cinema on a blistering Saturday afternoon in Inglewood.
Tiz West, a 3-year-old son of Gone West and the 3-1 third choice in a field of five, prevailed by a nose over 5-1 shot Ez Dreamer in the grassy Grade III. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Tiz West completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.24.
Mandella and those who supported Tiz West at the windows had to sweat more than they already were after Corey Nakatani, the jockey of the runner-up, claimed foul, alleging interference on the backstretch when Tiz West angled out and bumped with his colt.
Replays indicated Nakatani had a reason to complain, but the stewards ruled the incident "occurred during a point in the race that did not alter the order of finish."
The win in the $147,200 Cinema was the third in seven starts for Tiz West, who is owned by breeder Gerald Ford's Diamond A Racing Corporation.
Fourth in the Will Rogers on May 17 when he jumped shadows on a couple of occasions, Tiz West was much more focused Saturday.
"He's getting a little more professional," Mandella said. "He's run enough times now that he's learning how to stop and start and do things you usually have to do running on the turf."
Not surprisingly, Nakatani, who also claimed foul unsuccessfully when Ez Dreamer was third behind Polonius, who finished last Saturday, and Indian Sun in the Will Rogers, was not pleased with the decision of the stewards.
"I took a pretty good whack down the backstretch," he said. "If it happened in the stretch, they would have taken the winner down. It definitely cost me a placing and it definitely altered the outcome of the race. I think I was on the best horse."
------
Jockey Michael Baze, who was unseated when Charlotta suffered a fatal leg injury in the second race Friday night, will be sidelined for at least three weeks because of a neck injury.
------
In two other races around the country, Sailor's Cap won the $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup in a downpour at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., and favored Mauralakana won for the fourth time in five 2008 starts, taking the $250,000 New York at Belmont Park.
------
Frankie Shoots, the 1-2 favorite, finished strongly under Cody Jensen to win the $150,000 Vessels Maturity late Friday night at Los Alamitos.
With the victory, his ninth in 14 starts, the 4-year-old son of Dashin Bye, who is owned by Jose Santos and trained by Paul Jones, earned a spot in the $1-million Champion Of Champions on Dec. 13. Don Juan Bryan Sa, a 37-1 shot, finished second and Keep The Sign was third.
bob.mieszerski@latimes.com
