Del Mar and Saratoga Stakes & Graded Race Recap
by Patricia Woo | Jul 26 2010
Five important stakes and graded stakes races were hosted by
Del Mar and
Saratoga this weekend. On Saturday, July 24, at Del Mar, 3-year-olds and up took to the turf for the $300,000 Gr. 1 Eddie Read Stakes, a 1 1/8 mile race. Sent off as the race favorite, the James Cassidy-trained The Usual Q.T. did not disappoint. Victor Espinoza guided the 4-year-old gelding through slow fractions, stalking Accclamation and Enriched early in the race while Victor's Cry, under Corey Nakatani, raced close by. As the field closed for home, The Usual Q.T. made a four-wide move that was unmatched by the closing bid made by Victor's Cry and won decisively in a time of 1:27.28. Victor's Cry and Enriched rounded out the top three.
On Sunday, California-bred 3-year-olds and up were in the spotlight for the $100,000 California Dreamin' Handicap. Triumphant Flight set the early pace and was stalked by Colgan's Chip, Cayambe and Swift Winds; 6-5 favorite Bold Chieftain brought up the rear and was not a factor. Second choice Bruce's Dream, under Joe Talamo, raced second-last till the field hit the stretch, and then unleashed a tremendous rally. Colgan's Chip, who had taken over the lead, seemed to have the win in hand but was beaten by a head by a determined Bruce's Dream, and was followed by Cayambe. Bruce's Dream's winning time for the 1 1/16 mile turf race was 1:40.96.
Also contested Sunday at Del Mar was the $150,000 Gr. 1 San Clemente Handicap, a 1 mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Southern Fireball set the early pace; City to City and Crisp were among the stalkers. Victor Espinoza, aboard Evening Jewel, was content to race in fourth place early on but was soon made her move, keeping City to City at bay and winning in a time of 1:35.36. Weekend Magic rallied for third. The win was the second for trainer James Cassidy during Del Mar's opening weekend.
Over at the "Spa," Kentucky Derby contender Devil May Care was on hand for the $250,000 Gr. 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, a 1 1/8 mile race for 3-year-old fillies. Under John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of Malibu Moon raced close to the pace, set by longshot Absinthe Minded, along with graded stakes winners Seeking the Title and Acting Happy. With a powerful four-wide move turning for home, Devil May Care assumed the lead. She then increased her advantage, stopping the clock at 1:49.42, four lengths ahead of Biofuel, who surprised Acting Happy for runner-up.
On Sunday, juveniles took to the main track for the $150,000 Gr. 2 Sanford Stakes. The 6-furlong race was contested by eight 2-year-olds, including favorite Bail Out the Cat. But after mistiming the break, he languished behind the rest of the field, leaving 9-1 shot Maybesomaybenot and jockey Julien Leparoux to set the pace. He was followed by Another Silver Oak, Commonwealth Rush and Chipshot early on. But none could match Maybesomaybenot, who crossed the wire in 1:10.97 and was followed by the rallying Nacho Saint under Garret Gomez. Another Silver Oak finished third.
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