Santa Anita: Friday’s Eddie Logan Stakes Honors Late Legend

Eddie Logan, whose home away from home was Santa Anita for nearly three-quarters of a century, will be honored Friday Dec. 31 with the running of the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes for two-year-olds at a mile on turf.

Logan, known affectionately as “The Footman,” operated his shoeshine stand outside the Santa Anita Racing Office from the track's opening on Christmas Day 1934 until shortly before his death at 98 on Jan. 31, 2009.

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, a loyal ally and ardent admirer, has fond memories of Logan who played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League in the 1920s and early 1930's, but whose lack of a formal education did not diminish his acuity.

“He was a good friend and I looked forward to going to the race track and not only getting a shoe shine, but talking with him and listening to what he had to say,” Mandella said.

“The stories he told just made you feel better.”

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Irish-Bred Cathkin Peak Wears Down Commander Khai To Win Eddie Logan At Santa Anita

Taken well off the early pace while next to last into the clubhouse turn, trainer Phil D'Amato's Irish-bred Cathkin Peak edged closer to the leaders heading to the far turn and with four lengths to make up turning for home, kept to his task and overhauled pacesetter Commander Khai to register a one-length victory in Sunday's $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  Ridden by Flavien Prat, Cathkin Peak got a flat mile on turf in 1:33.80.

As expected, Commander Khai went to the early lead and he was tracked in second by morning line favorite Beer Can Man, who flattened out a bit late while Commander Khai kept to his task but couldn't hold off the winner, who although he lugged in some late, kept grinding to gain the advantage.

A one mile turf maiden winner in his U.S. debut Nov. 29 at Del Mar, Cathkin Peak was off at 4-1 in a field of seven juveniles and paid $10.40, $5.00 and $3.40.

“He's such a neat horse,” said D'Amato.  “Every since he arrived, he hasn't done anything wrong and he keeps getting better and better.  Flavien seems to fit him like a glove.”

Owned by Sterling Stables, LLC, Michael Nentwig and CYBT, Cathkin Peak, who started once in his native Ireland, is now two for three and with the winner's share of $46,680, increased his earnings to $81,672.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Commander Khai was off at 7-2 and paid $5.40 and $3.60 with John Velazquez up while prevailing by 2 ¾ lengths over Beer Can Man.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Beer Can Man was also off at 7-2 and paid $3.00 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.59, 45.74, 1:09.51 and 1:21.55.

The race was marred by an incident at the top of the stretch when Ebeko suffered a catastrophic injury and fell, throwing jockey Joel Rosario. Ebeko, winner of the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita in October, was vanned off and subsequently euthanized because of the nature of the injury. Rosario was evaluated by medical personnel and cleared to ride the remainder of the card.

Named in honor of Santa Anita's beloved “Footman,” the Eddie Logan honors the memory of the man who manned his shoeshine stand at Santa Anita from the track's opening on Dec. 25, 1934, until shortly before his passing at age 98 in January 2009.

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‘One Of A Kind’ Eddie Logan Honored On Sunday At Santa Anita

On Sunday, Santa Anita honors a historic link to its memorable past in Eddie Logan with the running of a $75,000 stakes, a one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds presented as the third race.

Logan plied his trade as a shoeshine attendant outside Santa Anita's Racing Office from opening day, Dec. 25, 1934, until just before his passing on Jan. 31, 2009 at the age of 98, a span of nearly 75 years.

His ingratiating personality and quick wit created an instant rapport with horsemen and fans alike, one of the most ardent Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.

“Eddie was one of a kind,” Mandella said. “He started out by looking after my shoes but we turned out to be great friends.

“I miss him every day when I walk through that hall by the Racing Office and not hear him talking.”

The Eddie Logan: Big Fish, Umberto Rispoli, 4-1; Commander Khai, John Velazquez, 7-2; Barrister Tom, Tyler Baze, 5-1; Beer Can Man, Juan Hernandez, 5-2; Cathkin Peak, Flavien Prat, 5-1; Party Game, Abel; Cedillo, 15-1; and Ebeko, Joel Rosario, 4-1.

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