Columnist Ralph Siraco: Four Big races in August will affect Breeder's Cup

RALPH SIRACO is turf editor of the Sun. His column appears Mondays and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Friday.

AS WE HEAD into the dog days of summer, the heat will turn up a notch on four pivotal races scheduled for August that are certain to have early Breeder's Cup implications.

Two of the races -- Sunday's Haskell Invitational Handicap and the Aug. 29 Travers Stakes -- are of only three big events left on the racing calendar strictly for three-year-olds. The other is the late September Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. After that, the sophomore set will compete in the open handicap division which includes the fall weight-for-age series and the Breeders' Cup Classic in early November.

The anticipated renewal of the Spring Classic rivalry between Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Real Quiet and Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop in the Haskell will not take place. The Jersey shore track, which was expecting the rematch, was notified Friday that Real Quiet will miss the 1-1/8 mile race. Trainer Bob Baffert informed that the division leader had suffered a stifle injury and will be sidelined for an indefinite period. He indicated the injury occurred during a workout last week in preparation for the showdown with his Triple Crown spoiler. Although the injury is not career or life threatening, the setback could jeopardize Real Quiet's participation in major fall races that include the Breeders' Cup Classic. Victory Gallop remains on target for the Sunday assignment and will not want for worthy competition in the wake of Real Quiet's defection. Among the expected Haskell challengers is Coronado's Quest. The Shug McGaughey-trained colt recently won the Dwyer at Belmont in impressive fashion and seems to have settled down. His high-strung behavior earlier in the year prevented his participation in the Kentucky Derby. Joining Coronado's Quest could be 1997 Horse-Of-The-Year Favorite Trick. He most recently won the Long Branch at Monmouth Park and will benefit with a race over the track. When word of Real Quiet's scratch circulated on the Southern California backstretch, trainer Mike Puype suggested that Swaps Stakes winner Old Trieste may join the Jersey line up.

Whatever the outcome this weekend, the Haskell winner will certainly be mentioned for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga race course later this month. The centerpiece event of the spa session always attracts a quality field of sophomores. Known as the "Mid-Summer Derby", the 1-1/4 miles event has been won by a who's who of racing's equine stars. Although there is no solid list of expectants yet, one can only assume that the Haskell, along with the Jim Dandy winner (the Saratoga prep for the Travers) are considerations for the race. And, it seems, there is always a late-developing prospect that bursts on the Travers seen each year.

Two major races for the handicap division will also be staged this month. On Saturday Aug. 15, the $1 million Pacific Classic will be held at Del Mar. The 1-1/4 miles event will be in the $2 million-guaranteed pick-six wager sequence and is not expected to provide a "singleton" on the minimum $2 bet. Although Silver Charm, who suffered a shocking defeat in the recent San Diego Handicap at the seaside oval, will not compete, handicap star Gentlemen is still on schedule for the race. A pair of recent returnees will post stiff challenges to their older rival in the form of Free House and Touch Gold. After providing memorable duels in the 1997 Triple Crown series, both were rested and resumed their racing careers as freshened four-year-olds. Free House comes to the Pacific Classic off a smashing Bel Air Handicap victory at Hollywood Park. Touch Gold, likewise, came back with a solid win in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. Connections of each horse hopes the centerpiece race where the surf meets the turf will serve as the start of a winning run at the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

Monmouth Park will also host this year's leading Horse-Of-The-Year contender Skip Away. With some adjustments in purse structure and distance compliances, the Aug. 30 Iselin Handicap is next on trainer Sonny Hine's agenda. Fresh from a seventh consecutive career victory with the Hollywood Gold Cup trophy, the son of Skip Trial will use the centerpiece handicap race of the Jersey shore track in quest of the all-time earnings record and a repeat Breeders' Cup Classic victory. Although the Iselin looks like a "walkover" on paper, Skippy still must negotiate what many feel will be a walk in the park run.

TWO MORE FAVORITES BITE THE DUST: Speaking of "walkover" winners, two more cinches bombed over the weekend. On Saturday at Del Mar, Fiji managed to finish a distant 3rd at 2 to 5 odds in the Ramona Handicap. On Sunday at Saratoga, Escena at 1 to 5 odds was beaten in the Go For Wand Stakes. They join the likes of Silver Charm, Anet and Gentlemen, who have gone down in flames as odd-on-choices this year.

TOAST AT THE COAST UPDATE: The eight professional handicappers competing in the Coast resorts promotion for the Del Mar season are off to a great start. Each handicapper must select five picks per day during the 43-day stand. The winner will be the one with the highest positive bankroll at the end of the season. With $20 win bets on every pick, after Sunday's competition, Brad Free is leading the pack with plus $1,156. Bruno DeJulio, of Today's Racing Digest, is a close second with plus $1,068. Free, representing the Daily Racing Form, will conduct a free seminar on Del Mar's Saturday card beginning at 9 a.m. at the Orleans race book. A handicapping contest on the first five races at Saratoga will also be offered.

archive