Classic Notebook: Gary Stevens the Cheerleader
New knee and all, jockey Gary Stevens has the call for trainer Chad Brown aboard TDN Rising Star Bakken (Distorted Humor) in the GI Sprint, and he admitted yesterday that he’ll be cheering on fellow Rising Star Bayern (Offlee Wild) when the gates fly shortly after 5:30 Pacific time. “I’m rootin’ for him,” Stevens said Thursday morning at Clockers’ Corner. “I’m part of the team, you know. His last three works have been unbelievable and I’ll be rootin’ for him just the same as I would have Beholder if she were running.” Stevens was in the irons when Bayern won his maiden and first allowance condition over the winter and anticipates that Bayern will be off the speed tomorrow afternoon. “He won’t be on the lead, [GI Whitney H. hero] Moreno (Ghostzapper) will,” Stevens opined. “He doesn’t have to have the lead. If I was on him I’d ride him just like I rode Beholder [in winning the Distaff] last year.” In that race, Stevens gave Beholder a patient ride, kept her in the clear and sent her to the front in upper stretch. Martin Garcia has the call for trainer Bob Baffert in the Classic.
–Trainer Dale Romans isn’t lacking for confidence as he gets ready to saddle Zayat Stables’ Prayer For Relief (Jump Start) in tomorrow’s 10-furlong showcase and compared him to a former Breeders’ Cup winner to emerge from the barn. “I feel the same way about Prayer for Relief as I did about [GI Breeders’ Cup Mile upsetter] Court Vision [Gulch],” said Romans. “He’s also an older horse on a major uptick. When these horses build their resumes that get them into this type of race, it causes a lot of wear and tear. Some of them may be tailing off a little and we’re headed in the right direction.” Third to Zivo (True Direction) and Moreno in the GII Suburban H. July 5, the 6-year-old was fourth in the Whitney and was most recently third in the GI Woodward S. at Saratoga Aug. 30.
–Trainer Art Sherman and his assistant, son Alan Sherman, were basking in the afterglow of the San Francisco Giants’ third World Series championship following their tense 3-2 defeat of the Kansas City Royals Wednesday evening. Art Sherman reiterated his satisfaction with GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) having drawn post 13 at Monday’s post position pull, but had baseball on his mind Thursday morning. “I’m sure happy with the post,” said Sherman. “I hate to make excuses, but I rode for 23 years, and there is trouble you can get into getting crammed in there. Maybe this time I can get a better break. I just want to be clear turning for home, and let the best horse win.”