For Immediate Release

Contact: Ed Golden

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella has won his share of races at Fairplex

Park, including the 1996 Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap with

Claiborne Farm's Region.

On Sunday Altadena native Mandella, who turns 52 on Nov. 5, will saddle

Brazilian import Out of Mind in the 24th edition of the Los Angeles County

Fair's marquee race.

Out of Mind, a 7-year-old son of Sestero owned by Sierra Thoroughbreds, has

compiled considerable frequent flier mileage recently. His stops have

included Hollywood Park, Bay Meadows and Santa Rosa, where on Aug. 3 he

finished fourth in the J.T. Grace Handicap.

Out of Mind, who will be ridden by Chance Rollins, is coming into the about 1

1/8-mile race from a two-month layoff, but that's by design.

"We freshened him a little bit," Mandella said, "and he seems to be doing

well. I think he'll handle the (five-eighths of a mile) track, but we won't

know until we try."

Another well-travelled campaigner ready for the Hinds is San Nicholas, a

4-year-old son of 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin trained by Jeff

Bonde.

"He worked seven furlongs the other day in 1:25 and he'll breeze a half-mile

at Fairplex tomorrow (Wednesday)," Bonde said. San Nicholas stalked the pace

in the Longacres Mile in his last race on Aug. 25 before finishing third.

Tyler Baze, battling Martin Pedroza for Fairplex riding honors, has the

assignment on San Nicholas.

"You never know how a horse will handle the five-eighths track," Bonde said.

"The ones that handle it, do, and the ones that don't, don't."

Racing secretary Richard Wheeler will extend invitations and issue weight

assignments for the Hinds on Wednesday afternoon.

Probables for the Hinds: Sigfreto, Matt Garcia; Dig for It, Omar Berrio; Out

of Mind, Chance Rollins; Truly A Judge, no rider; Reba's Gold, David Flores;

Moving's Gold, no rider; Sign of Fire, no rider; Most Likely, no rider;

J.T.'s Song, no rider; Hook Call, San Nicholas, Baze; Mysterious Cat, no

rider; and Nate's Colony, Martin Pedroza.

Among those under consideration for invitations are Bonus Payday, Deploy

Venture, Macaneo, Dixie Law, Hot Market, Timber Baron, Dixie Thrill and

Kachamandi, although the trainers of the latter two, Doug O'Neill and Barry

Abrams, said they do not plan to run, opting for other spots.

O'NEILL SEEKS FIRST-EVER TRAINING CROWN AT FAIRPLEX PARK

Doug O'Neill has a narrow 6-5 lead over Wesley Ward in the race for Fairplex

Park training honors this season. The 34-year-old native of Dearborne,

Michigan, is excited about the prospect of winning the title, which would be

his first ever.

"It would be incredible," O'Neill said. "I've never won a title. I was second

in the standings at the last Hollywood Park meet, but I was way behind. I

think

(Bobby) Frankel was 10 ahead of me. It would be beautiful to win this one.

This is what we shoot for. This is what we get up early for, and dream about

every night at dinner."

O'Neill expects to start several horses over the final days, including Brazil

Nuts in Wednesday's fourth race.

"I'm hoping to run six or seven more before the meet ends," O'Neill said. "I

give Brazil Nuts a nice chance. I claimed him for $40,000 at Del Mar."

FAIRWELLS: Baze won one race Monday to take a 17-16 lead over Pedroza with

six days remaining. Through Sunday Baze led all jockeys at the meet in purse

earnings with $357,362. Pedroza was second at $325,956 . .<