Columnist Ralph Siraco: Gritty War Emblem makes triumphant return in N.J.

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Aug. 5, 2002 | 9:22 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

The incredible odyssey of War Emblem continued Sunday in the Grade I Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, N.J. The $1 million centerpiece of the Jersey shore meeting marked the return of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner.

As it turned out, the only war at the shore was in the winner's name, as the second-largest crowd in Monmouth Park history watched the Bob Baffert trainee roll to another gate-to-wire victory. So what else is new?

Just a week before the Sunday cakewalk, War Emblem was scheduled to be munching on hay about the time he was making mincemeat out of four brave but overmatched rivals. But then again, what else is new?

War Emblem has overcome bone chips and a previous owner who didn't think enough of him -- even after a daylight score in the Illinois Derby -- to try the Kentucky version, let alone believe he could win it.

After his ill-fated attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978 in the June 8 Belmont Stakes-- in which War Emblem stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance -- the objective for the two-thirds Triple Crown victor was to regroup and gear up for the fall championship campaign.

The Haskell Invitational hit the War Emblem radar screen by mid-July when the Derby winner became too much to handle in his morning gallops.

Baffert concluded that the risk of injury to War Emblem was just as likely in training as racing. So the Haskell seemed to fit the bill, providing another showcase for the Thoroughbred Corporation's marquee attraction. Baffert and his owner would attempt to repeat Point Given's triumph last year on the way to Horse Of The Year honors.

Then on July 22, in his homeland of Saudi Arabia, the proprietor of the Thoroughbred Corp. racing empire died. Prince Ahmed bin Salman, who purchased War Emblem just weeks before his Kentucky Derby victory, passed away from a sudden heart attack. The stable was in shock. The plans were put on hold and War Emblem's future became in doubt. Again.

Thank goodness War Emblem is a horse. If he were a person, he would need therapy by now.

After a visit to Saudi Arabia, Thoroughbred Corp. racing manager Richard Mulhall returned to the states, conferred with Baffert and just seven days ago made the final decision to reenter the Haskell Invitational.

That fray had fried over several times. When War Emblem declared out, Came Home jumped in. Then the Santa Anita Derby and Swaps Stakes winner dropped out when War Emblem returned to the lineup. Sunday Break re-injured himself and Medaglia d'Oro was spa-bound.

All Monmouth Park wanted was a race with at least one big name, and they got it, as 45,212 came to see War Emblem in person. In the flesh.

Under jockey Victor Espinoza, War Emblem did what he does best -- go for the lead and improve his position from there. The Derby hero rambled through fractions of 23:2 and 47:1 as Espinoza struggled to throttle his partner's speed. By the time they hit the 3/4-mile marker in 1:10:3 they were sailing.

War Emblem reported home in 1:48:1 for the 1 1/8-mile journey by a measured 3 1/2 lengths to spare over Magic Weisner, who finished much closer as runner-up to War Emblem in the Preakness Stakes. Like A Hero finished third. The $2.60 win mutuel was never in jeopardy.

To complement War Emblem's victory, Belmont Stakes runner-up Medaglia d'Oro stayed at Saratoga and promptly won the $500,000 Grade II Jim Dandy on Sunday.

It seems Baffert is adding to the War Emblem magical mystery tour. The trainer was criticized for accepting a $50,000 appearance fee from Monmouth Park officials to show up with his horse. Track officials revealed that the practice was first offered and accepted last year when Baffert brought Point Given.

Baffert released a statement, saying that other sports personalities often receive appearance fees. But one wonders if he would have been offered the money without War Emblem in tow.

Baffert's dedication to his livelihood, however, can't be denied. The trainer was married after a day at the races Saturday night in San Diego before boarding a 5 a.m. charter to New Jersey on Sunday in time to collect a second $1 million in Haskell cash in as many years. He travels to Saratoga in time for a horse sale today.

The War Emblem tour returns to Del Mar with a possible next start in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 25, in which War Emblem is likely to meet Came Home and their elders for the first time. As for Baffert, Del Mar may give him an extra box seat or two for showing up. Or, maybe even a honeymoon suite.

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