Columnist Ralph Siraco: A guppie as a 2-year-old, Free House now a shark

THEY SAY patience is a virtue. They say there are no FREE lunches, and when an imposing figure comes into their presence, they say it's in the HOUSE.

THEY were obviously referring to Saturday's Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

When the 43-day summer meeting began on July 22, there was every reasonable expectation that among the field for the seaside track's centerpiece event would be one or two of last year's Triple Crown participants in the race...and there was. It was also assumed that Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Silver Charm would be ONE of those participants...but, he wasn't.

Instead, Belmont Stakes victor Touch Gold joined the gutty little gray Free House and defending Pacific Classic champion Gentlemen along with six others to battle the 1 1/4 miles over the oceanside tan.

Silver Charm, who had hoped to use the July 25 San Diego Handicap as a prep for the Classic, bombed in that Del Mar outing and the closest he came to the Saturday headliner was a six-furlong workout on the same day they drew official entries for the $1 million race.

So, the Classic was billed as East meets West. Touch Gold, based in Kentucky, would face Gentlemen, the pride of California's handicap division, with Free House to round out the trifecta.

Although Free House had returned to competition with a resounding victory in the Grade II Bel Air Handicap on July 11 at Hollywood Park, his role as bridesmaid had been cast from his close-but-no-cigar performances in last year's Triple Crown races. After all, the shaded son of Smokester had not won a Grade I race since his photo-finish victory over Silver Charm in last year's Santa Anita Derby. That was until Saturday at Del Mar.

The 8th running of this Grade I, where the turf meets the surf, will be remembered as the race Free House beached Touch Gold on the sands of the surf and dusted the defender Gentlemen on his turf for the bride's brass ring.

The sophomore guppie has turned into a 4-year-old shark.

Thanks to the patience of owners Trudy McCaffery and John Toffan and the diligence of trainer Paco Gonzalez, Free House has come back as a major force in the handicap division and now ranks as Skip Away's main foe for the fall Classics. And it wasn't easy.

Free House showed promise early in his career when he captured the pivotal Norfolk Stakes at Oak Tree as a juvenile in 1996. From a modest freshman California sire and not eligible for Breeders' Cup, they passed the Cup Juvenile at Woodbine that year.

Last year, Free House started his California rivalry against Silver Charm with a runner up in the San Vicente at Santa Anita. Free House would turn the tables in the next two meetings -- the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby -- before their more celebrated duels with Captain Bodgit in the Triple Crown series. Although a weakening 3rd in the Derby, he pushed the pair while 2nd by a head in the Preakness Stakes and then finished another third in the Belmont after Captain Bodgit had retired. Free House had been beaten in all three by Silver Charm. A bounce-back victory in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park led to another third placing in the following Haskell at Monmouth Park.

Then the flood gates opened. Free House would finish last as the odd-on choice at the Grade I Super Derby late September. It was found that he had bled badly through his lasix medication in that Louisiana race and was shelved for R & R.

Gonzalez would methodically bring back his stable star deliberately. With no timetable in mind, the trainer attempted to get the gray ready for a Santa Anita assault. But, after a lackluster response from Free House during his preparation for the return it was decided more time would be needed. Time is precious on the racing calendar and only virtuous owners would allow so many sands to pass through the hour-glass without anxiety outweighing fortitude.

But, their resolve and dedication to Free House did not waiver and as Gonzalez put it, "he will tell us when he is ready", referring to his renewed enthusiasm for training.

Free House told them in July at Hollywood Park and again on Saturday at Del Mar.

In the Pacific Classic, rider Chris McCarron would keep his long striding partner off the rail away from potential trouble. And as the longshot Aryton S faded after setting the pace, Free House would engage Gentlemen in a mano-a-mano duel that would separate the pair from the rest of the field. As the two turned into the homestretch, Free House roared away from his rival and onto a decisive victory.

Savoring the moment, Free House and McCarron slowly returned to the winners circle knowing that the happy group waiting there were in no particular rush.

Patience paid on Saturday.

They also say, good things come to those who wait.

Since Free House must be supplemented to the Breeders' Cup Classic, we will wait to see if a Kentucky trip that won't be FREE will provide a new HOUSE under the twin spires for a Classic champion.

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