THOROUGHBRED RACING : Eighth Consecutive Defeat Doesn’t Upset Trainer of Strike The Gold

Even though Strike The Gold lost for the eighth consecutive time Wednesday at Gulfstream Park, trainer Nick Zito was not unhappy.

The 7-10 favorite in an allowance race on opening day at Gulfstream Park, Strike The Gold, who won the 1990 Kentucky Derby and nothing since, finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by 11-1 shot Bay Shark.

“He ran perfectly,” Zito said. “He’ll be fine for the Donn (Handicap on Feb. 1). He ran exactly the way I wanted him to . . . from far off, you have to remember that this was just a seven-furlong race and he’s a mile-and-a-half horse. I’m extremely pleased and couldn’t be any happier.”

Ridden by Chris Antley, who rode him to his Derby victory then was replaced after three consecutive defeats, Strike The Gold was fifth with a furlong to run, then finished well enough to beat Perfect Hit by a half-length for second.

“He ran very well,” Antley said. “The race was too short for him. He’s a horse who won’t get into gear until he hits the turn. We wanted a good race under him; it was a good prep for the Donn (Handicap on Feb. 1).”

Zito and Antley may have been delighted, but the fact remains Bay Shark is a claiming horse who won only two of 14 starts last year.

Old Master and Real West, who finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Hollywood Futurity, were among eight 3-year-olds entered for Friday’s $75,000 added Los Feliz Stakes.

The one-mile Los Feliz was won last year by Dinard, who went on to win the Santa Anita Derby.

Old Master, a gelded son of Classic Go Go, was beaten by nearly eight lengths by A.P. Indy in the $500,000 Futurity and finished a neck in front of Real West, who set the pace.

Corey Nakatani again will ride Old Master for trainer Ron McAnally, and Chris McCarron will be aboard Real West for Juan Gonzalez.

The other horses entered are Hickman Creek, who was third behind Run Retsina Run in the Leland Stanford last month at Bay Meadows; Dr. Pain, who broke his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths Dec. 7 at Hollywood Park; El Anelo; Cape Royale; Fax News and Hudlam’s Sidekick.

Mineral Wells, who was extremely impressive breaking his maiden in his first start and is probably the best young prospect in the barn of Wayne Lukas, also was nominated to the Los Feliz. However, he is expected to make his next start in an allowance race.

Answer Do, who won a division of the Hollywood Turf Express in his last start, is among 10 possible starters for Saturday’s $100,000 San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs.

Unlucky when second in both of his starts over this track during the Oak Tree season, Answer Do will be reunited with Gary Stevens and carry high weight of 120 pounds.

Other probables are Pleasant Tap, Frost Free, Cardmania, Media Plan, Blue Eyed Danny, Individualist, What A Spell, Rocket Gibralter and Express It.

Itsallgreektome, who was second as the heavy favorite in Sunday’s $300,000 Hialeah Turf Cup, returned home Tuesday and will take a two-week vacation, according to trainer Wally Dollase.

“He came out of the race well,” Dollase said. “There was no speed in the race and he’s at a disadvantage when he floats up to the lead. I would have liked him behind Putting, but he was head-and-head with him carrying 124 pounds.

“That takes something out of a horse. He took the lead at the top of the stretch but got beat a neck by a fresh horse carrying 112 pounds (Crystal Moment). He tried like hell but got beat.”

Second in his last three starts, Itsallgreektome will probably return in the San Luis Obispo Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the turf Feb. 17.

Horse Racing Notes

Mike Puhich, the trainer of Flying Blueprint, who finished third in the sixth race, claimed foul against The Drouller, who won the race under David Flores. After a lengthy delay, the stewards disqualified The Drouller and placed him third. This made C.J. Flyer the winner and Flying Blueprint was moved up to second. . . . Sea Cadet will carry 124 pounds when he starts in Saturday’s William P. Kyne Handicap at Bay Meadows. The race will be simulcast at Santa Anita.

The graveside service for John Canty, who died Tuesday, will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo. There also will be a memorial Monday at 7 p.m. at Holy Angels Church in Arcadia. A native of Ireland, Canty trained Royal Owl, Unconscious and Time To Leave, among others.