DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2005
by Brian P. Turner
A field of six went to the gate for Wednesday’s 7TH race, an optional
claiming event for three-year-olds and up going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main
track. CAPTAIN SQUIRE (Flying Chevron) was making his first start in over a
year, but he returned to the races ready to run as he bounded out of the gate
and onto the lead. The six-year-old gelding guided the field through early
fractions of :21 3/5 and :43 2/5 before opening up through the stretch drive to
hit the wire four lengths clear of his nearest rival.
Siphonizer (Siphon [Brz]) and Zanzibar (Arg) (Luhuk) each made nice closing
moves through the stretch to hit the finish in second and third, with Siphonizer
having the advantage over his rival by a neck.
Once more this meet, the “Inquiry” light began flashing on the tote board as
the stewards went about reviewing the start of the race. The replay clearly
showed that Siphonizer, breaking from the inside post, interfered with Zanzibar
who was immediately to his outside. The stewards took very little time in moving
Zanzibar up to second and dropping Siphonizer to third.
There were four sprints contested on the main track today with horses on or
near the pace winning three of them and the lone main track route was won in
gate to wire fashion. As for the two turf routes, one was won by a front runner
and the other by a horse coming from off the pace. The lone turf sprint was won
by a horse challenging for the lead throughout.
Victor Espinoza picked up a win on the day, but Garrett Gomez picked up one
as well to keep from losing any ground in the jockey standings. Espinoza
currently has the lead by a score of 37 to 34. Patrick Valenzuela picked up two
wins on the day to cut into the lead and now has 29 for the meet.
Jeff Mullins and Bob Baffert each picked up a win on the day and the score in
the trainer standings now sits at 16 to 15 with Mullins having the advantage.
Doug O’Neill picked up a win as well and is just two off the pace with 14.
Horses to Watch
3RD – BULL RANCH (Real Quiet) was the easiest of winners in this
eight-furlong claiming event. The chestnut went to the lead and guided the field
through early fractions of :22 1/5 and :46 1/5 before opening up in the stretch
drive to hit the wire six lengths in front under nothing but a mild hand ride.
Bull Ranch was claimed out of the event and will be making his next start for
Bob Hess Jr.
4TH – SALAH WHO (Bertrando) had an impressive career debut. The bay laid off
the pace through early opening fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 4/5 before taking
over at the top of the stretch and easily cruising to the wire six lengths clear
of the field. The gelding was claimed out of the race and will be making his
next start for trainer Dan Hendricks.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Thursday, August 25
Thursday’s 7TH race is an optional claiming event for three-year-olds and
upward going 11 furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. A field of nine,
including one coupled entry, is scheduled to go to the post for the event.
The Bobby Frankel-trained MUCH FASTER (Brz) (Royal Academy) is one among the
field that should draw some interest from the betting public. The chestnut is
coming off of a solid effort against allowance-company here at Del Mar where he
finished third, beaten by only a length. Frankel’s horse will be coupled with
the Paul Lobo-trained MADE IN BRASIL (Brz) (Royal Academy), who has posted a
couple of nice BRIS Speed Ratings since coming to North America.
PRIVATE CHEF (Partner’s Hero) is another interesting possibility in the field
that is coming off of a troubled 3RD place finish against claiming company here
in July. JOHNNY RED KERR (Mr. Greely) is a $1.4 million purchase who will be
looking to take the next step forward after finally clearing his maiden last out
in the eighth start of his career.
SAM REMY (Ire) (Danehill) is an interesting long shot possibility in the
field. Though he has been facing weaker, the bay is a perfect two for two at the
distance and has reeled off three grass victories in a row since moving into the
barn of Lloyd Mason.
Thursday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid to
upper 70s.
Thursday’s Best Plays
1ST – SUNSHINE DREAMER (Lucky North) was claimed from Mike Mitchell two
starts ago and he immediately claimed her back in her next start. The
six-year-old mare has reeled off two wins in a row and the best of her speed
ratings are on par with the top of the field. Though the bay will be taking a
jump up in class, Mitchell is 28 percent in the “Up One Class” trainer category.
There should be a bit of pace on the front end and it should set up well for
Sunshine Dreamer to rally from off the lead. Garrett Gomez was aboard for her
last start and has elected to return for this one which adds another positive to
her list.
5TH – DO DA PRINCESS (Scatmandu) tops the field by over 10 points in BRIS
Prime Power in this five furlong grass allowance. The chestnut filly is coming
off a 6TH place finish going 1 1/16 miles but prior to that had won easily at 5
1/2 furlongs. Trainer Jeff Mullins excels with this scenario as he wins 41
percent of his starts in the “Sprint-Route-Sprint” trainer category and, in
addition, wins 25 percent of his “Turf Starts” over all. Jockey Alex Solis has
been aboard in each the filly’s last three starts and will be aboard again for
this event. Solis and Mullins have combined for a 43 percent win rate over the
last 60 days.