Gold Rush V
Saturday April 24, 2004

Cheiron, Mulhall Target Snow Chief

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2004) -- He is the “second” 3-year-old in Kristin Mulhall’s barn.

But Cheiron could be the best 3-year-old at Hollywood Park on Saturday. He is one of eight runners entered in the $250,000 Citibank Snow Chief Stakes, the richest of 10 races for California-breds at the fifth California Gold Rush Day.

While Mulhall, 21, is at Churchill Downs with Imperialism seeking on May 1 to become the youngest person ever to saddle a starter in the Kentucky Derby, Cheiron will attempt to win the 1 1/8-mile Snow Chief, the ninth race on the $1.3 million Gold Rush card.

A gray son of Maria’s Mon out of the Wild Again mare Fortunee, Cheiron has won two of his eight starts, both victories achieved during his four starts this year.

The colt, bred by The Thoroughbred Corp., briefly was on the Triple Crown trail, but his connections opted to keep him at home after a creditable fourth-place finish in Santa Anita’s San Felipe Stakes last month.

“We feel he’s got a lot of ability,” said Steve Taub, one of Cheiron’s owners. “If we didn’t have Imperialism, Cheiron could have been our Derby horse. You still may see him in some of the big races later in the year.”

Yan Durepaire, the native Frenchman who is overseeing Mulhall’s barn at Hollywood Park while the boss is in Kentucky, envisions a top effort from Cheiron in the Snow Chief.

“He should be very strong,” Durepaire said. “He should be the horse to beat. He was a good fourth in the San Felipe and he’s been training great ever since.”

Durepaire admitted that reaching Mulhall has been difficiult since Cheiron arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday.
“Everybody in the media back there wants to talk to her,” Durepaire said. “I can’t get her on her cell phone because it’s always busy. I’m kind of on my own out here, but I’m sure we’ll talk by Saturday.”

In addition to Taub, Cheiron is owned by attorney Neil Papiano and Michael Mulhall, Kristin’s older brother.

In the Snow Chief, Cheiron, who will carry 117 pounds, will be ridden for the first time by Alex Solis. Victor Espinoza, who rode Cheiron in the colt’s first eight starts, has jumped to He’s the Rage, the 121-pound high weight, trained by James Cassidy. He’s the Rage is a chestnut colt by Soft Gold out of the Hansel mare Interaction.
-- Larry Bortstein
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Citibank Snow Chief Stakes
3-year-old Cal-breds
$250,000 guaranteed
1 1/8 miles

1. Score High
Breeder: Bill Thomas
Score Quic-Skyaskyanna
Trainer: Mel Stute
Jockey: Goncalino Almeida

2. Cheiron
Breeder: The Thoroughbred Corp.
Maria’s Mon-Fortunee
Trainer: Kristin Mulhall
Jockey; Alex Solis

3. He’s the Rage
Breeder: Southern Nevada Racing Stable
Soft Gold-Interaction
Trainer: James Cassidy
Joxkey: Victor Espinoza

4. O. K. Mikie
Breeder: Ellen Jackson
Michael’s Flyer-Anadarko Ok
Trainer: Jerry McArthur
Jockey: Javier Santiago

5. Lava Man
Breeders: Lonnie Arterburn, Eve Kuhlmann and Kim Kuhlmann
Slew City Slew-Li’l Ms Leonard
Trainer: Lonnie Arterburn
Jockey: Tyler Baze

6. Southern Outlaw
Breeder: Tom Shapiro
Crafty Friend-Niece of Regal
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Corey Nakatani

7. Cee Mister B
Breeder: I. Bergstein
Cee’s Tizzy-Clearlyalady
Trainer: David Bernstein
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

8. Don’tellmeshort
Breeder: Mary Caldwell
Benchmark-Miss Soft Sell
Trainer: Dan Hendricks
Jockey: Mike Smith

Copyright © 1998-2004 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association