Sports: At age 12, Clipper Won displays staying power

At age 12, Clipper Won displays staying power

By BERNIE DICKMAN

Horses who have finished first, second or third as a 3-year-old in a race that has Derby following its name rarely are around and competing nine years later. But that's the case with Clipper Won, the 12-year-old gelding by One For All who finished third behind Careful Gesture in the 1992 Tampa Bay Derby, which was worth $200,000 that year.

In Tuesday's second race, Clipper Won made his third start of the current meeting in $4,000 claiming company for owner Paul Morton and trainer Deborah Artz. With Bill Henry riding, the gelding came from dead last after a quarter of a mile to score a head victory in 1:25:62 for 7 furlongs. He was the even-money favorite based on his previous two starts in which he finished second and third.

Tuesday's race was No. 113 for Clipper Won. For the past several years, he's raced in cheap claiming company. Despite a solid record of 20-13-22, he's earned just $125,000.

GOOD RULE CHANGE: At one time, winless horses could not compete in Florida after they turned 5. The rule was rescinded a few years ago. It's been a boon for the sport because many horses don't get to the races at 2, 3 and 4, usually because of physical infirmities.

In the race before Clipper Won's victory, owner/breeder Elisabeth Schafers sent out a first-time starter, Right to Appeal, and the mare by Exuberant ran away and hid by nearly 7 lengths under Danny Scocca. Right to Appeal is a 6-year-old. Under the outdated rules, she would have been eligible to campaign in a limited number of jurisdictions such as Penn National. But she is now eligible at Tampa, earning a purse of $3,300 in the $5,000 claiming race after getting 6 furlongs in 1:12:91.

Exuberant was one of Florida's leading stallions throughout the '80s and into the '90s, but wound up in Iowa. The late Exuberant is that state's leading sire by number of lifetime winners and lifetime juvenile winners.

STILL GOING: With the Tampa meeting in its final stages -- closing day is Sunday -- former jockey Jacinto Vasquez continues to impress with percentages, although not sending out many runners. The Hall of Fame jockey saddled Sandy Lass for her second straight victory at the meeting Thursday, with the 3-year-old filly going wire-to-wire under Mike Allen to score by 21/4 lengths. The daughter of Line In the Sand was clocked in 1:12:35 for 6 furlongs and has five wins in 12 career starts. The $9,260 winner's check lifted her earnings to $53,250.

Vasquez has saddled 11 starters and compiled a record of 7-1-1 . One of his runners, No Spend No Glow has won all four of his races, second to Corinas Poise's six. THE WINNERS: Before the weekend's races, Derek Bell had salted away the riding title with 86 winners. Terry Houghton had 61 and Luis Gonzalez 60. Bell's mounts had earned a meeting-high $739,051.

Among the trainers, perennial leader Don Rice was in excellent position, saddling 34 winners to 24 for William Myers. Rice also had 24 seconds, 16 thirds and earnings of $316,911.

KENTUCKY DERBY: Startac, the Turf Paradise Derby champion, has been confirmed as a starter Saturday. The 3-year-old son of Theatrical is owned by the Allen Paulson Living Trust. He is scheduled to arrive in Louisville this morning from California.

DERBY LANE: BD's Phillip won his sixth in a row during Saturday's matinee and has not finished out of the trifecta since Jan. 24. He is 19 out of 21 with 10 wins. ... The first round of the 62nd Annual Gold Trophy Juvenile stakes was Saturday night. Only greyhounds who began the season as maidens are eligible. Latin Lover upset Champion Jack in the first heat. American Badboy was upset in the next race as Husker Artic held on by a neck. Courageous Nicky pulled away by 5 lengths and Reward Green won his event. The semifinals are Wednesday and the final Saturday. ... Courageous Nicky moved back into a tie with Oneco Sudsy. Each has 15 wins.

- Correspondent Vera Filipelli and Times wires contributed to this report.