DEL MAR NOTES: Crouse back in good standing

By JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | Saturday, August 30, 2008 7:09 PM PDT ∞

DEL MAR ---- After meeting with track stewards, owner Ronald Crouse has been "restored to good standing," according to Del Mar officials.

Crouse didn't show up earlier in the week to meet with stewards regarding his involvement in a fight in the tunnel last weekend with Larry Benivedez, John Sadler's assistant trainer.

Crouse was fined $200 by stewards for violating rules regarding obedience to security and public safety officers. He was found to be in violation of stable area parking regulations.

Crouse has horses with trainer Bruce Headley.

McCann's Mojave retired

Owner Mike Willman announced Saturday that he has retired McCann's Mojave with a minor tendon injury.

The 8-year-old was entered in last Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic, but was scratched the morning of the race when trainer Steve Specht discovered the injury.

Willman said the horse has a small hole in a tendon and could still race, but he chose to send him off to a stud career in good health.

"He took us on the ride of a lifetime," said Willman, who is the publicity director at Santa Anita Park. "There was no way I was going to take any chances with racing him again."

Willman said Specht is still sending McCann's Mojave to the track in the mornings because he's tearing down the barn.

"He was ready to run (last Sunday)," Willman said.

McCann's Mojave earned $1.5 million while winning 12 of 35 starts in his long career. His biggest victory came in the $1 million Sunshine Million Classic in 2007.

He will stand at stud at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel.

"I'm very optimistic we'll get some good mares to him," Willman said.

Around the track

-- Jockey Garrett Gomez took off the remainder of his mounts after Saturday's fifth race. Gomez said he was ill and was excused by track stewards.

-- Harmony Creator was a late scratch in the first race when the track vet said he was "off" in the right hind leg.

-- Sindyfromsantacruz, the betting favorite in the second race, was scratched when she became cast inside the gate. Stewards reported that she suffered several cuts. Jockey Rafael Bejarano was uninjured.

-- Wednesday's closing day card will be drawn Sunday. A field of 11 or more is possible for the Grade I Del Mar Futurity at 7 furlongs for 2-year-olds.

-- Gio Ponti, an invader from the East for trainer Christophe Clement, is the morning-line favorite in Sunday's Grade II Del Mar Derby. Gio Ponti has never lost a race on firm turf. Gomez is scheduled to ride.

-- Track officials announced the lineup for Monday's Jockey Photo Day. Scheduled to appear from noon to 1 p.m. in the Plaza de Mexico are Bejarano, Gomez, Joel Rosario, Tyler Baze, Michael Baze, David Flores, Alex Solis and retired Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay Jr.

Spot play

Staff writer Jeff Nahill's spot play for Sunday:

Squires Wingman had the speed for 5 furlongs, but didn't have the stick and finished out of the money. In Sunday's featured Del Mar Derby, Gio Ponti holds a clear class advantage over this bunch. He has never lost a grass race on firm ground, and you can't get much firmer than Del Mar. The only bad thing is the outside post, but we think he has enough class to overcome this obstacle for our biggest bet of the meet. Bet $200 to win.

Sunday's wager: $200

Saturday's result: Minus $40

Season: Minus $224.90