Columnist Ralph Siraco: Free House takes latest skirmish in rivalry

Ralph Siraco

Monday, March 8, 1999 | 10:31 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears on Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Friday on the scoreboard page. Write to him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View, Las Vgas, NV 89107.

In horse racing, a rivalry defines the very essence of the sport and provides the memorable moments that endure over time.

Over the weekend, the most famous rivalry in the sport was renewed for the eighth time, while two others were building on their own and a pair from last year started on a collision course for 1999.

On Saturday, Santa Anita was the stage and the Santa Anita Handicap was the vehicle for another chapter in the Silver Charm vs. Free House rivalry.

Although the Grade I event officially had four others in the field, it was the ongoing battle between the Charm and the House that was the center of attention.

The "Big Cap" -- as it is known -- has been the platform for many historic rivalries in its 61-year existence.

The great Seabiscuit won in his third try, beating Kayak II in 1940 although many believed that the runner-up, who won the Big Cap the previous year, was held back to give his more famous stablemate the victory.

In 1950 Citation, carrying 132 pounds, suffered a defeat at the hands of Noor. In 1967 Pretense downed rival Native Diver, 1971 saw Horse of the Year Ack Ack beat stablemate Cougar II in their rivalry, and nine years later Spectacular Bid beat West Coast rival Flying Paster.

Alysheba won the battle of Kentucky Derby winners in 1988 when he bested Ferdinand, and just two years ago Siphon outraced stablemate Gentlemen to take the Big Cap of 1997.

The Silver Charm-Free House rivalry dates to their famous duels as sophomores through the 1997 Triple Crown. The first meeting was February 8, 1997 in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. Silver Charm beat Free House in that initial match, but Free House turned the tables with a victory over Silver Charm in the San Felipe Handicap on March 16. The early rubber match came in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5 with Free House getting the victory.

Then came their memorable duels with Captain Bodgit through the first two Triple Crown events. Silver Charm won the Kentucky Derby, with Free House third behind runner-up Captain Bodgit. Then it was Silver Charm's desperate nose victory over Free House in the Preakness Stakes with Captain Bodgit third. As Captain Bodgit bowed out of the Belmont Stakes, Silver Charm (second) and Free House (third) both finished behind winner Touch Gold.

As 1998 began, Silver Charm had a 4-to-2 lead over Free House, but the two would cross paths only once last year. That was in the October 17 Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. Silver Charm extended his domination with another victory while Free House settled for second again.

That brings us to their eighth meeting in the Big Cap.

As they left the starting gate in the 1 1/4-mile classic, Silver Charm got the jump on Free House, but soon the Cal-bred gray seized the track from the Florida-bred silver. Passing the grandstand for the first time, Free House, fresh from another gate-to-wire winning effort in the San Antonio, had settled into a methodical rhythm.

Jockey Chris McCarron masterfully rated his partner through moderate fractions while keeping long shot Dr. Fong, Event of the Year and Silver Charm at bay. When they turned for home and the real racing began it became obvious that McCarron had done in pure daylight what Jesse James needed a gun to do -- he stole the $1 million Big Cap. McCarron had rationed enough speed through the first mile to have Free House ready for Silver Charm and company.

Silver Charm, who seemed to lag through the race, could do no better than third as Event of the Year became the only threat to Free House in the final stages but came up a half-length short.

For Free House it was a sweet victory over Silver Charm. It was also a heartwarming win for owners Trudy McCaffery and John Toffan, who never ducked an opportunity to race against Silver Charm, and a satisfying victory for trainer Paco Gonzalez, who had pointed the gray son of Smokester toward the Big Cap all along.

Two other rivalries were renewed over the weekend at Santa Anita as well.

Saturday's San Carlos Handicap was the rubber match between Kona Gold and Big Jag. Kona Gold had won the first encounter with a victory over Big Jag in the January 3 El Canejo Handicap. Big Jag returned the favor with a photo-finish win over Kona Gold in the January 30 Palos Verdes Handicap.

The seven-furlong meeting on Saturday had the Jag out-running the Gold. Big Jag prevailed by a length while Kona Gold completed the exacta. It seems hard to believe that these two can keep up the hard campaign through the fall Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Sunday saw the third meeting of Manistique and Magical Allure. Magical Allure was looking for the first win over her rival in the Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap. The third time was not the charm and the encounter was not even close. Manistique put Magical Allure away through the homestretch of the 1 1/8-mile event and virtually locked up the older filly-mare title at this Santa Anita session in the process.

Finally, last year's Triple Crown rivalry of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Real Quiet and Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop may be renewed soon as both returned to the racing wars this past week.

Victory Gallop, who hadn't raced since his thrilling nose victory over Real Quiet in last June's Belmont, won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday. Trainer Elliot Walden elected to pass on a rematch with Real Quiet on Sunday at The Fair Grounds in Louisiana for the easier Florida spot in preparation for the Dubai World Cup on March 28.

Walden may have had second thoughts after Sunday's New Orleans Handicap where Real Quiet, making his 1999 debut, finished second to Pecocity. It is uncertain where the Bob Baffert-trained Real Quiet shows up next, but, after Silver Charm's lackluster performance in the Big Cap, he may be deputized to replace his famous stablemate in Dubai for the World Cup and a fourth go-round with Victory Gallop.