Parliamentarian Surprises Under Van Dyke

Idle since Jan. 10, 2013, Parliamentarian was sent to the lead by top apprentice Drayden Van Dyke and coasted to a gate to wire win in Thursday’s $58,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita, winning by 4 ¼ lengths while negotiating six furlongs in 1:09.58.

Trained by Bruce Headley, the 5-year-old gelding by Perfect Mandate was off at odds of 8-1 and cut out fractions of 21.50, 44.30 and 56.55 en route to his second win from three starts.

The fifth longest shot in a field of 10 older horses bred or sired in California, Parliamentarian paid $19.60, $10.00 and $5.80.

“I knew he was going to do well, even off the layoff, because he’s a runner,” said Headley, from beneath his trademark cowboy hat.  “He’s bred well, he’s had some fast works and being bred by Old English Rancho always helps.  I like this jock.  Drayden’s a natural athlete.  After we saw him play in the jockeys basketball game (Feb. 27), we thought he looked like a miniature, little Michael Jordan.  He’s a natural lightweight so I think he’s got a great future.”

Owned and bred in-part by Headley and Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Johnston’s Old English Rancho, Parliamentarian picked up $34,800 for the win, increasing his earnings to $75,120.  Van Dyke collected his second win of the day and his 24th of the meet—good for seventh in the rider standings.

The second choice at 3-1, Master Chef, ridden by Corey Nakatani, was three lengths off the winner turning for home and prevailed by a neck over a fast closing Crimson Giant for the place.  Master Chef paid $4.60 and $3.20.

Crimson Giant, next to last going to the far turn, finished with a rush under Modesto Linares for trainer Charlie Stutts.  Crimson Giant, who started 25 times last year, made his eighth start of the meeting Thursday and was dispatched as the longest shot in the field at 40-1.

Crimson Giant paid $8.40 to show and picked up $6,960 for running third, boosting his 2014 earnings to $25,878.