Dice Mo Chara was bounced at the start of the San Gabriel Shares (G2T) on Santa Anita Park’show Day opened December 26 but turned it into a “very nice ride,” which, according to jockey Juan Hernandez, won by 1/2 the length.
After being bumped, sandwiched between opponents and falling to fifth place out of seven runners at 1 1/8 mile incline, Hernandez settled the 4-year-old. Adaay gelding down and waiting for its time. Dicey Mo Chara saved the ground on a tight run, giving way in the first leg and completing the longest shot 21-1 across the board, most flashy for victory.
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“This is a really good horse,” Hernandez said. “He kicked very well, and I had a very good ride. He was comfortable after the pace. Then, about halfway through when I asked him to go because it was time to go, he replied. He picked it up on his own, overcame the others and won the race.”
Dicey Mo Chara, coached by Leonard Powell, finished with a score of 1:47.78 on hard courts. Bred by Worksop Manor Stud, he is owned by Red Baron’s Barn and the late Jed Cohen’s Rancho Temescal.
Dicey Mo Chara started his career with a single start in Ireland, finishing second. Moved to California, he tried three more times to find the winner’s circle at Del Mar in July 2021. Since then, Powell has let him play mostly in ranked bets but San Gabriel was his first win at the top level and fourth in 17 starts. The winner’s share of $120,000 of the $200,000 boosted his bankroll to over $430,000.
Powell also coached the Flashiest, who added $4,000 to the San Gabriel field despite a 12-race no-win streak stretching back to July of last year. 4-year-old Mizzen Mast responded by placing his first graded bet as of second in the Derby Del Mar presented by Caesar’s Sportsbook (G2T) on September 4, 2021.
Powell noted Cohen’s recent death.
“I’m very grateful to the owners who put their trust in me. This is all the more special for everyone because Mr. Cohen passed away last month,” he said. “I would have liked a deadly heat. Both horses ran very well. At the three-eighth column, I think the Flashiest will get there.”
Tim Cohen, son of Jed Cohen and principal of Rancho Temescal, noted Hernandez’s trip.
‘It just took us a long time to find him. Leonard did a great job. ‘Dicey’ just started a little earlier. He was a bit lazy, like a family member, but he kept going, and today Juan gave him a great ride.
“In a race, I just look at my horse, I don’t even know what the others did, I just watch our horse and hope everyone has a smooth ride.”
