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DEL MAR NOTEBOOK AUGUST 6, 2009 by John Mucciolo A pair of longshot winners highlighted the graded action during Week 2 of the Del Mar meet. San Diego H. (G2): Russ Sarno et al's INFORMED (Tiznow) wasn't the son of Tiznow everyone expected to cross the wire first in here, but the Doug O'Neill charge did run a big race and deserved this title under Tyler Baze. The useful five-year-old outgamed a clear Grade 1 winner in the final yards to complete the nine furlongs in 1:41 1/5. San Clemente H. (G2): Dolantori Racing's STARLARKS (Ire) (Mujahid) was last after a half-mile but uncorked a big run in the stretch to get up by a nose under Alex Solis. The sophomore filly reached the wire for one mile on the firm lawn in a swift 1:33 4/5 for trainer Paddy Gallagher. Track Stats From a total of 46 races held over the coastal racetrack during the four-day week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 36 frays contested on the Polytrack oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while one of the 10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (9 percent). Speed was not as prominent early in the week compared to the previous five race days, but it seemed to us that early types did better over the weekend. Wednesday and Thursday saw a lot of deep closers winning and finishing in the top three. Late runners have had every chance during the first two weeks on the grass, both in sprint and route races. Inside posts did considerably better this past week, but skimming the rail was not the path that most of those took. It still doesn't hurt to travel in the two or three-path, perhaps even a bit wider. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (7/29) 6TH -- DIXIE UNIONESS (Dixie Union) showed a lot of heart in battling back in the stretch to win this for David Hofmans. The 30-1 outside was looked right in the eye by the favorite and never wavered under Michael Baze, but the final time in here wasn't much to write home about. Thursday (7/30) 6TH -- MANHATTAN BEACH (Ire) (Captain Rio) made a nice impression in her U.S. debut for conditioner Mike Mitchell, rolling home from last to finish a strong second in this turf dash. The four-year-old is an obvious threat in her return. 7TH -- The ultra-consistent PAUL'S HOPE (Lake Austin) blew away a stakes-quality allowance field in here for Jerry Hollendorfer, and the gelding should pop up in a graded event before long. Friday (7/31) 6TH -- ZETTA'S CORRIDOR (El Corredor) closed with good energy to be a useful third in here under Garrett Gomez. The Kathy Walsh pupil should obviously move up in a big way from this first run, and we'll tab this one for a subsequent score. 8TH -- COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) made a smart return to racing with an impressive score in his turf debut for Eoin Harty. The classy, multiple Grade 1 star can run on broken glass most likely, and he has limitless options on where he can go next. Saturday (8/1) 2ND -- Trainer Bob Hess Jr. must be thrilled that he won the claim on LORDGIVEMEALIFT (Lord Carson) in here after the gelding won by 11 lengths and went six furlongs in a blistering 1:08 4/5. 3RD -- We expect HIGH FIVE GAL (High Brite) to be a big stakes player in the juvenile fillies division before the year is out for O'Neill. The debuting lass fell just short to a more experienced rival in here, but the bay has a very high ceiling and should win very soon. 4TH -- One race later, the Hollendorfer-trained LIONS STORY (Wildcat Heir) looked the part in his second outing and appears to have a bright future himself against fellow two-year-olds. We feel confident that this colt can stretch out. 5TH -- TIMES GONE BY (Giant's Causeway) absolutely exploded in the lane for Richard Mandella in his first start since October. The superb prospect completed his final five-sixteenths in :29 2/5! Sunday (8/2) 5TH -- Trainer Carla Gaines seemingly always unveils at least a couple of impressive debut winners at this meeting, and JOHN SCOTT (Bertrando) could be one of those after a sharp win first out. The California-bred colt should be able to run as far as he has to this year and looks like a huge stakes player this fall. 8TH -- SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song) has proven that he belongs somewhere around this level with another consistent performance in here. The third-place finisher was making his first start for Walther Solis in here and he's an excellent exotics horse at big odds in these graded events. A Look Ahead The likely appearance of unbeaten champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) in Sunday's Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) stands as the must-see event this week at Del Mar. The $150,000 Best Pal S. (G2) for juveniles will also be held on this day. The Saturday feature is the $300,000 Bing Crosby H. (G1) while the $150,000 Sorrento S. (G3) will take place Friday.
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