I’m A Jewel Has Been a Real Gem

No matter what happens in the $100,000-added Cinema Handicap on Saturday at Hollywood Park, I’m A Jewel has already proven one of the best bargain buys of recent years by Henry Martin, Elaine Garrison and Bill Delia.

After being out of horse racing for a few years, Martin and Garrison, who are married, got back into the sport last November, buying half of I’m A Jewel from Delia, a Northern California-based trainer who had recently purchased the gelding privately for $6,500.

Given the fact the son of Somethingfabulous had lost his first five races, including a defeat to $8,500 maidens in his initial effort in Northern California, it seemed a fair price.

Eight starts and four wins later, I’m A Jewel has now banked close to $175,000 and enters the Cinema on a hot streak.

Since being switched to the turf, the 3-year-old hasn’t been worse than third in five tries and followed up an allowance win on April 9 with a 9-1 upset in the $200,000 California Derby 10 days later at Golden Gate Fields.

He rallied from far off the fast early pace under Agapito Delgadillo to beat Oakhurst, Greed Is Good and six other 3-year-olds and his regular rider will be here Saturday.

“He galloped real nice here [Wednesday] morning,” said Delia, a former jockey. “We’ll let him stretch his legs on the turf [this morning].

“He kind of turned it on in the Cal Derby. It was kind of a nice charge. That’s the way he runs. He gives one good run at them. I don’t know how he’s going to like this course, it’s a lot different than [Golden Gate]. But I’ve seen a lot of horses come from behind on this course, so hopefully he’ll take to it.”

Purchased as a yearling for $6,200 by Annabelle Stute, the wife of trainer Mel Stute, I’m A Jewel broke his maiden for $13,500 in his first race for his current connections, then was fifth and second in his next two starts before it was decided to give him a try on the grass.

“When I was running him on the main track, he was just kind of dodging the dirt,” Delia said. “He was kind of getting himself in trouble. [The turf] sure seems like it’s helped a lot. I just took a shot and ran him there--he’s bred for the turf--and he hasn’t been out of the money yet.”

Entries will be taken this morning for the Cinema, which is run at 1 1/8 miles. Besides I’m A Jewel, the other probable participants are Brave Act and P.T. Indy, who finished 1-2 in the recent Will Rogers Handicap, Daylight In Dubai, Batoile, Oakhurst, Without Doubt and Worldly Ways. Churchland and Svenska are considered possible.

Horse Racing Notes

First Tank, a 5-year-old Tank’s Prospect mare who was scheduled to run against six other $16,000 claimers in the first race on Wednesday, was scratched minutes before post time on the order of Hollywood Park stewards George Slender, Tom Ward and Pete Pedersen after they were alerted by a paddock judge. According to Slender, the stewards were alerted by paddock judge Christine Hofmans that one of the people connected with First Tank had put a large syringe in her mouth. Syringes are expressly forbidden in the paddock or receiving barn.

“The owner [Eddie Garcia] told us it was just water and that he was washing out her mouth,” steward George Slender said. “We believe what he was saying, but we didn’t have any time to check and we thought it was in the best interest of racing and the betting public to scratch her.” Slender said the syringe was confiscated and will be tested. First Tank, who was 12-1 on the morning line but 4-1 at the time she was scratched, will also be tested. Trained by Ruben Cosme, First Tank has three wins from 28 lifetime starts.

Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, who was banged up in the starting gate Monday when Distant Oasis flipped backward before the start of the seventh race, was off his mounts Wednesday and will also take today and Friday night off and be back to ride Saturday. “He’s still a little sore,” said Bill Barisoff, Delahoussaye’s agent. . . . Jockey Corey Nakatani will begin a five-day suspension Saturday after being disqualified from second to sixth on Surachai in Monday’s Los Angeles Handicap.