DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 20, 2009
by John Mucciolo
The best turf distaffer in California strutted her stuff on Sunday.
John Mabee S. (G1): Bienstock, Winner and Mandabach’s MAGICAL FANTASY
(Diesis [GB]) proved that she is the best grass filly on the West Coast with a
sterling closing run under Alex Solis. The star four-year-old won by a length
while finishing off 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 for trainer Paddy Gallagher.
La Jolla H. (G2): Wertheimer & Frere’s homebred METEORE (Pulpit) sat in last for the opening
three-quarters of this 8 1/2-furlong event, but it didn’t matter for the Richard
Mandella pupil as he put this field away late under Solis. The sophomore colt
stopped the clock in 1:40 4/5 in posting a 1 1/2-length triumph.
Track Stats
From a total of 46 races held over the coastal racetrack during the four-day
week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 61 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Polytrack
oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), while one of the 14
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (7 percent).
We witnessed yet another strange week at Del Mar. Outside posts, horses
breaking from the seven hole and wider, captured just two of the first 26 races
from Wednesday through Friday, with horses breaking from the three innermost
slots winning 18 of those events. It all changed over the weekend, when 11 of
the 20 races were captured by runners from outside posts.
The main oval seemed fair for the most part, with the exception of Friday,
where we had the five first races on the main track won in wire-to-wire fashion.
For the week, though, the right horse could win from first or last. It continues
to be difficult for a horse to lead at every call on the sod.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 185 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 139 | |
| TURF: | 46 | |
| FAVORITES: | 62 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 34 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 5 (11 percent) | |
| POLYTRACK WIRE: | 37 (27 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 23 | |
| 1-3: | 65 | |
| 4-6: | 57 | |
| 7-out: | 63 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/12)
1ST — WICKEDNWACKYINGRID (High Yield) further proved her affinity for this
Polytrack oval with a facile win in here for Ted West. The speedy four-year-old
sped six panels in a solid 1:09 under Martin Pedroza.
5TH — West had another fine winner on this day after SPEEDIN
EXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) crushed a decent turf field, getting five grassy panels
in :56. The California-bred sophomore should be very tough with anything
resembling this effort in her subsequent try.
Thursday (8/13)
4TH — Trainer Brian Koriner dropped a claim on a first-time starter in here,
and the sharp conditioner must have been thrilled after watching his new charge
draw off to win for fun beneath Joe Talamo. U TURN ME CRAZY (Atticus) could be
any type.
7TH — LANGS LASH (Ire) (Noverre) is much better than her
fifth-place finish in here indicated while making her U.S. debut for Neil
Drysdale. The talented three-year-old will surely be much tighter for her next
engagement.
Friday (8/14)
4TH — Carla Gaines had both of her runners ready for business in
this one as the pair ran each other to a neck at the wire. Since each of the
duo, DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) and DETAILS R SKETCHY (Great Notion),
were coming off long breaks we’ll tab both.
Saturday (8/15)
4TH — LA NEZ (Storm Boot) was always well placed in posting a
professional win for trainer Eric Kruljac. The two-year-old filly is bred for
pure speed and probably won’t run too far, but she has a nice future with any
improvement.
7TH — PULSION (Include) ran a big race to finish five lengths
clear of third in this well-meant field, rallying late prior to just missing to
a 1-2 winner. Breaking through the gate prior to the race probably didn’t help
the bay, who we expect to progress into a nice animal over the next two
seasons.
Sunday (8/16)
3RD — MASSONE (Menifee) beat an average field here, but it was still good
to see the Grade 1-placed sophomore earn a win for Ron McAnally. The colt seems
to prefer the lawn and should be seen in a grass stakes before long.
7TH — CORONET OF A BARON (Pure Prize) ran a fair race in his first
showing since finishing third in the October 25 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf for Eoin
Harty. Considering that the colt faced elders and surely had some rust at a
distance shorter than his best, we’ll call this comeback productive.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $350,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) for sophomore fillies on the lawn is
the showpiece of the upcoming weekend at Del Mar.