Trainer’s First Intent Was the Correct One

Trainer Jack Carava claimed First Intent for $40,000 last year for owner Mickey Lima, but not long before that, he had almost taken the gelding for $32,000.

Trained then by Bob Baffert, who also trained his half-brother Gundaghia, a multiple-stakes winner, First Intent won that day. “He did it very nicely,” remembered Carava.

“I had the slip made out, but he had a funny-looking spot on [one of his] tendons, so we decided not to go.”

There was no hesitation for owner or trainer when the Arizona-bred came back at the higher level, and the way First Intent has gone since, he was a definite bargain at either price.

Seemingly getting better with age, the 8-year-old, late-running sprinter, who in 1996 had 12 seconds or thirds with only three victories in 18 starts, will be seeking his third stakes victory of the year Saturday when he takes on seven others in the $100,000-added Pat O’Brien Handicap.

A 17-1 shot when he won the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap on April 5 at Santa Anita, First Intent was overlooked again nearly three weeks ago here in the Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

The 10-1 fifth choice in a field of seven, he rallied from last after a half-mile to beat Boundless Moment by a neck in 1:08 4/5 for the six furlongs.

With the victory, only his third in 20 lifetime starts at that distance, First Intent picked up $102,000 and pushed his earnings this year over $281,000.

Only once in eight 1997 appearances has he been worse than third and he had a valid excuse that day. He reared at the start of that June 9 race at Hollywood Park to lose all chance. He fell many lengths back of the field, but was flying at the wire and was beaten by only four lengths when sixth.

Now, he’ll be trying for another graded victory in the seven-furlong O’Brien, and he will be facing three of the horses he beat in the Crosby--Boundless Moment, High Stakes Player and Score Quick.

The additional furlong should be a bonus--he has three victories, two seconds and two thirds in eight tries at that distance--and Carava says the gelding, who has won 12 of 62 lifetime, is doing well.

“I was really surprised by his last race,” he said. “I wasn’t even planning on running him, and then he goes out and wins it. He was acting like he was a little run down, but when we got down here, he perked up.

“He ran well and he’s come back and trained well. He went [five furlongs] in 1:01 3/5 [on Aug. 10] and it was one of the slower works of the day, but that’s him. If he ever comes out and works in 59, they better watch out. The key has been that he needs to have his races spaced a little more. That really seems to have helped him.”

Both of his big victories this year have come in tandem with jockey Rene Douglas, and he will be aboard again on Saturday. “Rene seems to get along very well with him,” said Carava, 31, who’s had success with several other claims and who worked for several years with trainer Jerry Fanning.

“[First Intent] has turned out to be a real surprise. He’s always been a favorite at the barn. He’s a neat horse to be around. He’s like the barn pet.”

After winning the Crosby from the rail, which wasn’t a problem for him given his come-from-behind style, First Intent drew Post 3 for Saturday. From the rail out, the others who were entered in the O’Brien, won last year by Alphabet Soup, are Ready To Order, Gold Land, Boundless Moment, High Stakes Player, Tres Paraiso, Elmhurst and Score Quick.

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Helmsman, who was pulled up as the 1-2 favorite in Wednesday’s sixth race, was said to be fine Thursday morning.

Scheduled to run in the Eddie Read Handicap earlier this month, Helmsman’s plans were changed when he stepped on a nail in his stall at Hollywood Park, causing him to miss a few days of training.

Trainer Wally Dollase then said the 5-year-old son of El Gran Senor would be pointed for the $200,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday, but he showed up instead on Wednesday, a $60,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

After unseating Chris McCarron, Helmsman kicked the jockey, who was taken for X-rays to a nearby hospital. They proved negative and he was sent home with an ice pack on his left knee and is scheduled to ride three horses today.

Horse Racing Notes

Second to Gentlemen in last Saturday’s Pacific Classic, Siphon apparently was injured in the race. “We think it’s a bruised foot,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We put a poultice on it [Wednesday] and he seems better today.” Siphon is being pointed for the $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 18 at Belmont Park. . . . Crypto Star, the winner of the Louisiana and Arkansas derbies earlier this year, is being switched by owner Darrell Yates to trainer Wally Dollase’s barn. The 3-year-old son of Cryptoclearance had been trained by ex-jockey Wayne Catalano. . . . J.P. Doodles, who broke down in the first race, was destroyed after dislocating a fetlock. . . . Horses losing their race in the gate has been common occurrence at this track for years and the latest to be victimized was Dixie Queen, the heavy favorite in Thursday’s sixth race. She reared at the break to be away many lengths behind the field and jockey Gary Stevens was fortunate to be able to maintain his seat on the filly. She wound up off the board in a race won by Fun In Excess. . . . Jockey Kent Desormeaux has appealed his five-day suspension, which was due to begin Saturday, and he will continue to ride.