Romarin Is Left Singing the Blues

There was no third consecutive San Gabriel Handicap victory for Romarin. Trying to join John Henry and Del Mar Dennis as the only horses to win a Santa Anita stakes three years in a row, the 7-year-old had to settle for fifth as the 5-2 second choice on Wednesday.

Instead, trainer Charlie Whittingham earned a record seventh San Gabriel victory when Rainbow Blues, the 2-1 favorite, outfinished 8-1 shot River Deep by three-quarters of a length in 1:46 4/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Much-troubled when he last ran over the Santa Anita grass, Rainbow Blues had no problems Wednesday under Gary Stevens.

It was the first San Gabriel triumph for Whittingham, 83, since Dahar won in 1985.

A race earlier, Logia, a 16-1 shot, overcame what looked like an insurmountable lead for favored Cat’s Cradle to win the $71,350 Run For The Roses Handicap by half a length in 1:35 4/5 for the mile.

Horse Racing Notes

Jockey Laffit Pincay was given a five-day suspension, beginning next Wednesday, for his disqualification aboard Refined Lady in Tuesday’s seventh race. Also suspended were riders Matt and Julio Garcia. The former was given three days, the latter five. . . . There is a Pick Six carryover for today of more than $104,000.