TURF DIARY
AUGUST 24, 2005
by Jennifer Caldwell
After Arlington Park’s International Festival of Racing took place last week,
not much is happening in the turf world as the main contenders in the division
rest up for their next big engagements. Since it was such a big weekend, I went
ahead and combined the boys and girls divisions into one Diary, which doesn’t
leave much for me to discuss this week. However, there were a couple of events
that took place that I didn’t get a chance to talk about, therefore I will do so
now.
The 1 1/16-mile La Jolla H. (G2) at Del Mar drew a field of seven sophomores,
including the undefeated EL ROBLAR (War Chant) and WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer), who
had captured the Cinema Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) prior to the August 13 La Jolla.
Juliesugardaddy (Unusual Heat) broke on top and led the field throughout with
Willow O Wisp not far behind and El Roblar following in third. Entering the
turn, Willow O Wisp bid outside the leader and managed to get his head in front
of that one at the wire, with El Roblar maintaining his third-place position at
the finish.
Willow O Wisp has prospered since switching to the barn of Vladimir Cerin,
winning three of his four races for that trainer. Prior to the change, the bay
gelding was always well back while racing at Calder, but he seems to be enjoying
the Southern California climate. He ran second by only a head in the Will Rogers
S. (G3) before his Cinema win two back and, with the La Jolla added to his
resume, now owns a 3-1-0 record from four starts this year.
El Roblar suffered his first loss in the La Jolla, but the Richard Mandella
charge was stretching out to a route for the first time. He acquitted himself
well in that one and could show more in his next race.
A major event took place in France on August 14, with a stellar field going
to the post for the Prix de Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) at Deauville. Taking on
her male counterparts was the exceptional filly DIVINE PROPORTIONS (Kingmambo),
who was trying to extend her undefeated record to 10. The bay sophomore miss was
sent off the favorite in the about mile test, but couldn’t manage anything
better than fourth.
Top honors that day went to DUBAWI, a three-year-old son of Dubai Millennium
and his sire’s most well-regarded offspring to date. Dubawi was coming off a
third in the 1 1/2-mile Epsom Derby (G1) and rated just in behind his stablemate
Council Member (Seattle Slew) in the Jacques le Marois. When that one faltered,
Dubawi and jockey Kerrin McEvoy continued straight on to the wire, posting a
final win margin of 1 1/2 lengths.
Simon Crisford, racing manager for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation,
said the colt is likely to go in the September 24 Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1)
at Newmarket before shipping to the United States for a run in the Breeders’
Cup Mile (G1). If he comes over for Thoroughbred’s championship day, his
connections will be hoping for rain, as his only losses came over firm
going.
Next week, I will be correcting an oversight that a reader of the Filly &
Mare Turf Diary was kind enough to inform me about. Stay tuned!