SANTA ANITA : Farma Way Is Being Type-Cast

Fighting off challengers on both sides when the horses came into the stretch, Farma Way reminded his trainer, Wayne Lukas, of Criminal Type in winning the $160,600 San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita on Sunday.

With an eighth of a mile to run in the 1 1/16-mile race, Flying Continental had room on the fence to pass Farma Way, and Stylish Stud was trying to wear down Lukas’ 4-year-old colt on the outside.

But Farma Way dug in and jockey Gary Stevens needed only a hand ride to come home 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Flying Continental, who had a head advantage on Stylish Stud at the wire. Quiet American, sent off the even-money favorite by a crowd of 37,007 in his first race in three months, finished fourth, a length behind Stylish Stud.

Lukas has hopes that Farma Way will replace Criminal Type in his barn. Criminal Type won major races on both coasts last year and is one of the contenders, along with Unbridled and Go for Wand, for horse-of-the-year honors. The results of the vote will be announced Saturday in San Francisco.

“I think Farma Way’s as much of a talent now as Criminal Type,” Lukas said. “Of course, time will tell. This horse is very talented, very gifted. He can use his speed when he needs it.”

Farma Way, who led all the way, ran leisurely fractions early and finished with a time of 1:40 4/5. That missed the stake record by three-fifths of a second and was the fastest running of the San Pasqual since 1982.

The victory, worth $93,100 to his owner, George Bunn of Springfield, Ill., was Farma Way’s third of the season, his fifth in 14 starts and boosted his earnings over $450,000. Farma Way was the second betting choice and paid $8 to win.

Farma Way, a son of Marfa and Fine Tribute, won an allowance race at Santa Anita on Dec. 30 and he came back two weeks later to capture the San Carlos Handicap. On Sunday, Farma Way carried 116 pounds, six less than Flying Continental, a major stakes winner last year who hadn’t run since finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park on Oct. 27.

Criminal Type began his stakes campaign last year with a victory in the San Pasqual. Farma Way’s next start is likely to be the 1 1/8-mile San Antonio Handicap on Feb. 17, and if he wins again, the comparison with Lukas’ retired horse will continue. Criminal Type also won the San Antonio.

Horse Racing Notes

Wayne Lukas has saddled the San Pasqual winner three consecutive years. Before Criminal Type, there was On the Line in 1989. . . . Gary Stevens, who also rode On the Line, won his sixth stake of the season, the same total as Chris McCarron. . . . Cobra Classic won his fourth start in a row at the meet, giving Bill Spawr his 16th victory of the season. Spawr leads the trainer standings. Cobra Classic, a 4-year-old gelding who was claimed for $32,000 on Oct. 19 at Santa Anita, won only four races all last year.

Best Pal, the Hollywood Futurity winner, is expected to make his first start as a 3-year-old in the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on March 3. . . .