Columnist Ralph Siraco: Santa Anita Handicap remains compelling

Ralph Siraco

Monday, March 3, 2003 | 9:59 a.m.

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

Saturday's Grade I Santa Anita Handicap reaffirmed its reputation as the hardest handicap race to win in the world -- just once, not to even entertain the unthinkable, twice.

Even the great Seabiscuit needed three shots at the Big Cap. At age 7, and coming off an injury, the Charles S. Howard colorbearer defeated stablemate Kayak II in the 1940 edition and never raced again. Many in the audience of 68,526 that day, recall the effort by Kayak's rider as anything but energetic while the more popular entrymate completed his date with destiny.

Seabiscuit's Santa Anita Handicap victory was so compelling at the time that he moved the President of the United States off the front page of the nation's newspapers. His heartwarming quest for the Big Cap was what they made movies about -- even today.

A new version of the story of Seabiscuit will hit theaters this summer, introducing this true-to-life equine hero to a new generation of fans.

And, if all goes well for the flick, the 2003 Santa Anita Handicap can add a sequel to the storyline.

This year's 66th renewal had all the ingredients for a blockbuster Hollywood movie. It had a hero and villain, a storyline that weaved the powerful track owner, a cranky trainer who did things his way and an ugly duckling who stepped in for the star and saved the day for a happy ending.

This year's Big Cap was building as a showdown between Strub Stakes winner Medaglia d'Oro and San Antonio Stakes victor Congaree. Medaglia d'Oro had gained stardom while finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic after a Travers victory and a runner-up effort in the Belmont Stakes last year. The Strub was his coming out party as a 4-year-old handicap heavyweight.

Congaree gained prominence while finishing third in the 2001 Kentucky Derby after attending the fastest early fractions in the history of America's most famous horse race. He took three consecutive stakes victories into the Big Cap to become a force at age 5. The stage was set.

In comes the villain. When Santa Anita racing secretary Mike Harlow assigned Medaglia d'Oro and Congaree the same weights at 124, trainer Bobby Frankel decided to withdraw Medaglia d'Oro in protest. A snag in the showdown. Frankel wanted to teach the racing secretary a lesson and instead went to the Big Cap with his forgotten defending champ, Milwaukee Brew.

The plot thickened. The normally media-savvy sound-bite trainer Bob Baffert said nothing and kepts Congaree on schedule for the Big Cap while re-engaging jockey Jerry Bailey, who opted off of Congaree in favor of Medaglia d'Oro. Now with no d'Oro for Bailey, the door opened again on Congaree.

In the meantime, while Congaree prepared for his coronation, Santa Anita was left with a showcase instead of a showdown. Frank Stronach, whose Magna Entertainment owns Santa Anita Park, sat in the director's lounge as Milwaukee Brew carries his Stronach Stable colors in the Big Cap. The son of inaugural Breeders' Cup Classic winner Wild Again has shown none of the brilliance that brought him the Big Cap trophy in 2002, yet, a solid runner-up effort to Congaree in the recent San Antonio provides an encouraging sign for hope. Could the overlooked ugly duckling of the Frankel barn ... ?

Then came the happy ending.

Congaree entered the starting gate as the 3-5 favorite. And, soon after the starter dispatched the seven runners for seven figures, it became apparent that somewhere during the 1 1/4-mile journey, Congaree would be challenged by Medaglia d'Oro -- in the form of Milwaukee Brew. Jockey Edgar Prado kept the stretch-running Milwaukee Brew in an uncharacteristic stalking position just off the flank of Congaree and much closer to the action.

Congaree took charge as Milwaukee Brew drew alongside. At the top of the homestretch the two locked up in a stride-for-stride battle. Neither gave an inch as they drove to the finish line. At the wire,Milwaukee Brew edged past Congaree in a photo finish.

Milwaukee Brew became the first horse in Santa Anita Handicap history to finish first as a two-time winner and joined only the great John Henry to win the race twice (John Henry won his second Big Cap through a disqualification in 1982).

On Saturday, Santa Anita got it's showdown. It got a cliff-hanger. It got a great race from a great horse at the Great Race Place. It got what the historic Santa Anita Handicap is famous for. And, it got it with Cinderella.