Jockey Rafael Bejarano and trainer John Sadler enter the final three programs of the 60-day Hollywood Park Spring/Summer Meet atop the standings.
Bejarano, in his first full meet here, owns a 54-44 lead over runner-up Joel Rosario. Bejarano has 13 mounts during the last three cards to 12 for Rosario, also in his first full summer session here.
Sadler, who claimed his first Southern California circuit title during the 2007 Autumn meet here, held a 27-23 lead over defending and three-time leader Doug O'Neill. Sadler has eight entrants, O'Neill seven during closing weekend.
Bejarano, a 25-year-old native of Peru, arrived on this circuit during the 2007 Autumn Meet here with a glittering portfolio, including two Breeders' Cup victories and riding titles at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Aqueduct.
Bejarano did not disappoint, edging Garrett Gomez to win the Santa Anita Winter/Spring meet and continuing his momentum here.
"He wants to be leading rider at every meet he rides," said Joe Ferrer, Bejarano's agent. "When we first got here, it didn't feel like home, but now it does. Now we're set on staying here."
Bejarano, who also leads in stakes wins with ten, said he has become a better rider in California. "Every day you learn," he said. "Everybody sends here, unlike New York, where everybody holds back. I like to ride horses that come from behind - that is where I have the most ability - but you have to learn to change your style. I have learned to stay closer in many races because the tracks are more speed-favoring."
Bejarano and Ferrer agreed that the meet had a bittersweet ending because of the retirement of Heatseeker. "After Heatseeker won The Californian the way he did, I thought we were on the best horse in the country and thought he could win the Hollywood Gold Cup, Pacific Classic and Breeders' Cup Classic," said Ferrer. "It's tough to lose a horse like that." Heatseeker was scratched from the Gold Cup the day before the June 28 race with an ankle injury that led to his retirement the following week.
"The last two weeks were kind of disappointing," said Ferrer, adding he also hoped to ride Gamely Stakes winner Precious Kitten back in the $750,000 CashCall Mile July 5 but the mare was forced to skip the race because of a foot injury. "Everything else worked out good," said Ferrer.
One of the biggest bonuses for Bejarano, who speaks daily to his family in Peru, was the acquisition of a screen on his telephone so both parties can see each other clearly.
Bejarano, with more than $8.2 million in earnings, is on pace to better the $15,892,188 career high his mounts earned in purses last year.
Sadler, who turns 52 later this month, is a California native who has steadily moved up the ladder on the circuit the last three decades to reach the top rung.
Sadler won his first circuit title here convincingly last fall, ending the domination of O'Neill and Jeff Mullins for the previous ten meets here. After a second-place finish to Mike Mitchell at Santa Anita, Sadler again finds himself atop the Hollywood Park standings, not only in wins, but also in stakes with six.
"Overall I'm very happy with the meet, especially that great weekend," said Sadler in reference to three stakes wins on June 28 and another on June 29. "And winning the Kerlan (Memorial Handicap) last Sunday with Get Funky was a lot of fun because Doc Kerlan was so beloved around here."
Sadler credited his staff, headed by assistant Larry Benavidez, and was particularly proud of the variety of winners the stable sent out. "I think it showed our versatility when you can win with a 2-year-old filly (Emmy Darling in the Landaluce Stakes), an older filly sprinting (Dearest Trickski in the A Gleam Handicap), a grass horse routing at 1 1/8 miles
(Whatsthescript in the American Handicap), a grass mare routing at 1¼ miles (Black Mamba in the Beverly Hills Handicap) and a grass sprinter (Get Funky)."
Sadler, with 2008 earnings of $3.2 million, is also on pace to eclipse his 2007 record of $5,408,950.
