Dicey Mo Chara Rallies to Win San Gabriel Stakes

Dicey Mo Chara  was bounced around at the start of the San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) on Santa Anita Park's Dec. 26 Opening Day program but turned that into a "very nice trip," according to jockey Juan Hernandez, winning by 1/2 length.

After getting bumped, sandwiched between rivals and shuffled back to fifth of seven runners in the 1 1/8-mile turf tilt, Hernandez settled the 4-year-old Adaay  gelding down and bided his time. Dicey Mo Chara saved ground down the backstretch run, tipped out for room on the turn, and outfinished the 21-1 longest shot on the board, Flashiest , for the victory.

The 6-5 favorite, Masteroffoxhounds , dueled for the lead with Bob and Jackie  and managed to hang on to get show money, finishing 1 length better than Prince Abama . Bob and Jackie, Go On , and Rip City  completed the order of finish.

"This is a really nice horse," Hernandez said. "He kicked extremely well, and I had a very nice trip. He relaxed nicely behind the speed. Then around half of the turn when I asked him to go because it was time to go, he responded. He picked it up by himself, passed everyone else, and won the race."

Dicey Mo Chara, trained by Leonard Powell, finished in 1:47.78 over firm turf. Bred by Worksop Manor Stud, he is owned by the late Jed Cohen's Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal.

Dicey Mo Chara started his career with a single start in Ireland, finishing second. Shipped to California, he took three more tries to find the winner's circle at Del Mar in July of 2021. Since then, Powell has had him competing primarily in graded stakes but the San Gabriel was his first win at the top level and fourth from 17 starts. The $120,000 winner's share of the $200,000 purse increased his bankroll to just more than $430,000.

Powell also trains Flashiest, who was a $4,000 supplement to the San Gabriel field despite a 12-race winless streak that extended back to last July. The 4-year-old Mizzen Mast gelding responded with his first graded stakes placing since a second in the Del Mar Derby Presented by Caesar's Sportsbook (G2T) Sept. 4, 2021.

Powell noted Cohen's recent death.

"I'm so grateful to the owners who put their trust in me. This is even more special for everyone because Mr. Cohen passed away last month," he said. "I would have loved a dead heat. Both horses ran great. At the three-eighths pole, I thought Flashiest was going to get  there."

Tim Cohen, Jed Cohen's son and principal of Rancho Temescal, credited Hernandez's ride.

'It just took us a long time to figure him out. Leonard's done a great job. 'Dicey' just needs to get going a little sooner. He's a little lazy, kind of like a family member, but he goes on, and Juan gave him a great ride today.

"During a race I only look at my horse, I don't even know what everyone else did, I'm just watching our horse and hoping everybody gets a clean trip."