Columnist Ralph Siraco: Pincay, Sir Bear make seniors proud

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Jan. 14, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday. Reach him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 2275 Corporate Circle Drive, Suite 300, Henderson, NV 89074.

Reviewing some notes across my program early in the new year:

It is refreshing to see that some "seniors" can still take the competition to the woodshed. Early in the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting, there is Laffit Pincay, Jr., 55, battling for the lead in the jockey standings. Through January 10, Pincay was deadlocked with his usual nemesis, Alex Solis, at 11 victories apiece.

On the veteran equine front, 9-year-old Sir Bear captured the Skip Away Handicap for the third time in five years at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The Ralph Ziadie trainee won the race when it was named the Broward Handicap in 1998 and 1999 before his return triumph over the weekend.

Sir Bear has won six races in 13 starts at the Florida track. He started his 2001 campaign with a victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap and is on target for a repeat showin.

It was almost certain that the winner of their private match would come away the victor in the Colonel Power Handicap Saturday. In their usual fashion, the pair hooked up early and dogged each other to the wire with Bonapaw prevailing for a fourth time over Abajo. The rivalry lives on.

At least the horse's connections are experienced at the Derby. Trained by two-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, Danthebluegrassman is owned by Mike Pegram, who won the 1998 Kentucky Derby with Baffert and Real Quiet. And, yes, if you are thinking of running down to Bally's for a little Derby futures action, he is already nominated to the Triple Crown.

Baffert also won the San Miguel Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita. The Grade III sprint, for 3-year-olds, was won by Popular in gutty fashion. Popular and Danthebluegrassman may make Baffert forget about his freshman Derby prospect bust Officer.

A triple Derby winner last year, Western Pride won his first start as a 4-year-old in the Grade II San Fernando Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. He battled through sizzling early fractions with Orientate, with Western Pride wearing down his rival late in the stretch. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, the West Virginia, Ohio and Calder Derby winner of last year stretches his record to nine victories in 19 lifetime starts.

At Golden Gate, young bug Kevin Krigger sits third in the jockey standings. From November 7 through January 10, Krigger has won 26 races for a winning clip of 23 percent.