DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2005
by Brian P. Turner
Sunday’s feature was the Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) for fillies and mares,
three-years-old and upward, going 1 1/16 miles. A field of eight went to the
gate headed by Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), who was sent off as the post-time
favorite. The four-year-old filly put in a game effort, closing from well off
the pace, but came up a nose short at the wire.
In the end, it was TUCKED AWAY (Unusual Heat) who rallied from off the
leaders and closed with a nice turn of foot through the stretch to cross the
wire in front. The Cal bred was virtually ignored by the betting public as she
had not been to the winner’s circle since September of last year, though that
victory came right here at Del Mar. When the race was finally made official,
Tucked Away lit up the tote board with a $40.40 pay off.
Valentine Dancer (In Excess [Ire]) proved to be the best of the rest as she
finished 2 1/4 lengths behind Hollywood Story in third.
As has become the norm at Del Mar, the “Inquiry” light began flashing on the
tote board at the conclusion of the event. The question was whether or not
Tucked Away had interfered with Muir Beach (Skip Away) in the stretch drive.
After careful consideration, the stewards ruled that while Muir Beach was forced
to check when Tucked Away came over in front of her, the incident was
actually caused by Star Parade (Arg) (Parade Marshal) drifting out from the
inside. The order of finish was allowed to stand.
There were four sprints contested on the main track today and horses on or
near the lead won three of them. In addition to the feature, there was one
additional main-track route which was won by a horse coming from about three
lengths off the pace. There were three turf routes contested on the card with
horses rallying from off the pace winning two of them.
Patrick Valenzuela picked up a win on the day to give him 22 for the meet.
Victor Espinoza and Garrett Gomez went winless and remain in a tie for second
with 16 winners for the meet. Alex Solis picked up three winners on the day,
including his victory aboard Tucked Away in the feature, to gain ground on that
pair and now has 14 winners thus far.
Both Jeff Mullins and Bob Baffert picked up a winner on the day, making the
score in the trainer standings 10 to nine with Mullins holding the advantage.
Doug O’Neill picked up a win as well and has soul possession of third place with
eight winners for the meet.
Horses to Watch
2ND – MISS NORMAN (Artax) was a $300,000 purchase that began making her money
back in earnest in this maiden special event as she guided the field through
early fractions of :22 1/5 and :45 2/5 on her way to a 1 1/4-length victory. The
two-year-old filly looked solid throughout, though she was becoming a little leg
weary at the end. Still, the dark bay is definitely one to keep an eye on.
4TH – EL DON (Cee’s Tizzy) put in an outstanding effort in his first try on
the grass by rallying from well off the pace and closing with a blazing turn of
foot in the stretch drive to win this optional-claiming event by 1 1/2 lengths.
6TH – DA STOOPS (Distorted Humor) made short work of this field of
two-year-old Cal-bred maidens by sprinting to the lead early and guiding the
field through early fractions of :22 3/5 and :45 3/5. Once he hit the stretch,
the dark bay opened up on the field, widening his margin with every step without
ever once seeing the whip, to hit the wire 8 1/4 lengths in front.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Monday, August 8
A field of 10, including two who are also eligible, is entered for Monday’s
6TH race, a five-furlong optional-claiming event for three-year-olds and up
which will be contested on the grass. CELTIC SWORD (Arg) (Hidden Prize) is one
among the field to keep an eye on as he has had a great deal of success
sprinting on the lawn.
SEX MACHINE (Aus) (Shagny) is another in the field that will garner some
attention and is more than capable despite the fact that he has failed as the
favorite in each of his last two starts.
Monday’s forecast calls for clouds early giving way to mostly sunny skies in
the afternoon and highs in the mid-70s.
Monday’s Best Plays
2ND – NOTNERASGOODASHERS (Gold Fever) will be taking a class drop and will be
moving to the main track in her second-career start for trainer Doug O’Neill.
The three-year-old filly has put in a couple of solid works over the main track
since her last start, including a clocking of :46 4/5, the second fastest of 35
that morning, over this same Del Mar strip. The chestnut will be adding blinkers
for this event and O’Neill’s runners win 18 percent of the time in their first
start with the “peeps.” O’Neill is consistent in that he also produces 18
percent winners in the “2nd Career Race” and the “Turf to Dirt” categories. The
filly could have a big shot in this maiden claiming event at what could be a
square price.
7TH – BRITE LORELEI (High Brite) is a best play that comes from the “Horses
to Watch” list. The three-year-old filly was impressive last out as she rallied
from off the pace to pick up the win by three lengths against $40,000 claiming
company. Jeff Mullins claimed her out of the race and is stepping her up to the
$50,000 claiming level but she still tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and her
new trainer produces 26 percent winners in the “Up One Class” trainer category.
In addition, Mullins is also a solid 33 percent in the “1st After Claim”
category. Jockey Garrett Gomez rode her to victory in her last start and has
elected to return for the ride in this event, only adding to the list of things
to like.