ROUNDUP: STEVENS SADDLES UP.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer

ARCADIA - With three Kentucky Derby victories, 20 million-dollar wins, an Eclipse Award and a Hall of Fame plaque, Gary Stevens has nothing left to prove. Until this afternoon.

The opening of the 32nd Oak Tree Racing Association season at Santa Anita will mark Stevens' return to the saddle 10 months after he announced his retirement because of arthritic knees. A strong showing in the stakes-packed first week of the 27-day meet could earn him better mounts for the Breeders' Cup races at Churchill Downs a month from today.

It might take longer than that to convince skeptics that the 37-year-old jockey can make his comeback stick.

``I've got it in my mind that I've got to prove to the people that I'm back and I'm 100 percent,'' Stevens said. ``I hope they see a healthier and more comfortable Gary Stevens.''

He was in pain when he abruptly quit in the middle of Santa Anita's opening-day card Dec. 26, 1999. Retirement never took him far from the racetrack - he worked as an assistant trainer for The Thoroughbred Corp., which held his riding contract, and he yearned to compete again.

After settling a personal-disability insurance claim for a reported $1 million-plus, and after getting a doctor's assurance his knees will hold up with proper care, he accepted four mounts on the nine-race card that starts at 1 p.m. today. Stevens debuts aboard the Mike Mitchell-trained claimer Muy Rapido, a 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 1 1/16-mile second race.

``I'm doing this because this is what I do and what I love,'' Stevens said. ``I have positive thoughts about (today).''

Stevens said he will ride at 117 pounds today, hoping to get down to his accustomed 115 gradually. He said his doctor advised him to ``listen to my body, and if I get swelling in my knee, take five or 10 days (to rest). I feel very comfortable with that.''

Stevens has no mount in the opening-day Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap, in which Reciclada and Alex Solis will chase Hookedonthefeelin and David Flores down the turf hillside. But agent Harry ``The Hat'' Hacek said Stevens has Mynah for Saturday's Yellow Ribbon Stakes and expects to land an assignment for the same day's Norfolk.

``He's trying to reestablish himself as the nation's best rider,'' Hacek said. ``There's no doubt he's starting behind the eight-ball'' when it comes to securing top Breeders' Cup mounts at this late date.

``But,'' said Bob Meldahl, agent for Laffit Pincay and Corey Nakatani,``let him get out here and win a few races, and they'll (trainers) be coming to him.''

Said Stevens: ``Anything I do end up on, (even if) they're 50-1, I'll be happy to ride.''

As usual, Breeders' Cup steppingstones dominate the Oak Tree schedule, which includes nine stakes in the six-day opening week. Horses who prepped at Oak Tree have won 18 Breeders' Cup races in the event's 16 years.

A crowd of 40,000 is expected Saturday at Santa Anita, in part because of the annual beer-stein giveaway.

Laffit Pincay needs 20 wins to become the first jockey with 9,000. He had 19 at Oak Tree in 1999.

Flores goes for his second Oak Tree riding title in a row. Bob Baffert goes for a record fourth straight Oak Tree training title.

Meldahl said he expects Nakatani to return next week. The 1994-95 Oak Tree leader broke his left collarbone Aug. 26 in a fall at Del Mar.

The season starts amid a Santa Anita management shakeup. Reports that Jack Liebau has replaced Lonny Powell as Santa Anita president and CEO have not been confirmed or denied by Magna Entertainment, the corporation that owns the picturesque track.

``I think it's hard on the employees, not knowing,'' said Sherwood Chillingworth, Oak Tree's executive vice president. ``I don't know the long- term plans of Magna. But it won't have any practical effect (on Oak Tree racing) this year.''

OAK TREE RACING AT A GLANCE

--When: Today through Nov. 6, every Wednesday through Sunday, plus Mondays Oct. 9 and Nov. 6; first race 1 p.m. weekdays, 12:30 p.m. weekends and Mondays.

--Where: Santa Anita Park in Arcadia; exit Baldwin Avenue south from the Foothill Freeway (210).

--Major races: $500,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes for fillies and mares on turf, and $200,000 Norfolk for 2-year-olds, Saturday; $500,000 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship, and $200,000 Oak Leaf for 2-year-old fillies, Sunday; $200,000 Lady's Secret Handicap for fillies and mares, Monday; $250,000 Oak Tree Mile on turf, and $200,000 Ancient Title Handicap sprint, Oct. 14; $500,000 Goodwood Handicap, Oct. 15; $250,000 California Cup Classic and nine other races for Cal-breds, Oct. 28.

--Scratches and results: [phone], www.santaanita.com

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Box: OAK TREE RACING AT A GLANCE (see text)