DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A dynamite Holiday Weekend, with five Grade 1 races, helped wrap up the final
week at Del Mar, and there was one familiar theme — Bob Baffert.
Pacific Classic S. (G1): Arnold Zetcher’s recently acquired RICHARD’S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) made a huge
late run to get up late under Mike Smith to earn his initial Grade 1 win. The
four-year-old colt, who is conditioned by Baffert, went 1 1/4 miles in 2:02
1/5.
Pat O’ Brien S. (G1): Zayat Stables’ ZENSATIONAL (Unbridled’s Song) ran his Grade 1 streak to three
with another easy win for Baffert, never being challenged while running
seven-eighths on the Polytrack in 1:22 1/5 beneath Victor Espinoza.
Del Mar Futurity (G1): Baffert picked up his third Grade 1 of the weekend when the sterling LOOKIN
AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) found room in the lane and inched clear to remain
unbeaten. The Pegram, Watson and Weitman colorbearer went seven panels in 1:22
4/5 with Garrett Gomez.
Del Mar Debutante (G1): Southern Equine Stables’ homebred MI SUENO (Pulpit) overcame an eventful trip
to pull away late under Mike Baze to notch her first Grade 1 event for trainer
Eric Guillot. The impeccably-bred juvenile miss stopped the teletimer in 1:23
3/5 for seven furlongs.
Del Mar Derby (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s RENDEZVOUS (Victory Gallop) rallied boldly
late under Joel Rosario to pull a minor upset against this field. The sophomore
colt endured 1 1/8 miles on the firm ground in a sharp 1:46 4/5 beneath
Rancho Bernardo H. (G3): Dennis Weir’s CARLSBAD (Rocky Bar) put on a dazzling display when running
clear of her foes in a four-length romp under Tyler Baze. The Jeff Mullins pupil
sped 6 1/2 furlongs in a sizzling 1:14 4/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 67 races held over the coastal racetrack during the final
seven race dates, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 46 percent of the wins. From 53 frays contested on the
Polytrack oval, 12 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while one
of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (7 percent).
Speed was dominant last Wednesday and it carried over to Thursday, when the
first four races were taken in wire-to-wire fashion. Things settled down as the
week went on, though.
Overall, the main oval did see some times when speed held infinitely better
than others, but we’re not sure if that is due to the maintenance, weather,
tides or anything else. We just learned that watching the early races was
often a precursor to how the day would unfold.
The turf course favored closers all meet, with just a 9 percent win rate
for those who led at the first call. This trend didn’t change at any part during
the six-plus weeks, and any front-running winners deserve extra credit.
From a post position standpoint, similar to the Polytrack, there were days
when the rail was excellent, both for front runners and late runners who
traveled on the inside path. On other race days, however, this did not hold true
and animals doing their work a few paths off the fence had an edge. The best way
to explain this — Del Mar’s main oval had a varying bias.
Congratulations to Rosario, who dominated throughout the meet to
win the riders’ title, posting 55 wins, which made him more than 20 clear of his
nearest pursuer.
Trainer John Sadler was equally dominant to earn yet another conditioner’s
trophy, sending out 31 first-place finishers, including a hat trick on closing
day.
Meet Final Totals
| RACES: | 344 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 259 | |
| TURF: | 85 | |
| FAVORITES: | 103 (30 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 78 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (9 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 58 (22 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 40 | |
| 1-3: | 116 | |
| 4-6: | 135 | |
| 7-out: | 93 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (9/2)
2ND — ANNIHILATION (Northern Afleet) responded to the cut back in trip to
post another fine turf sprint win for Dan Hendricks, her third in four races.
The sophomore miss should be stakes-bound at Santa Anita.
7TH — THE USUAL Q T (Unusual Heat) dominated this field for his second
straight facile turf score for James Cassidy. The California-bred ran a mile in
a sharp 1:34, which included a final quarter-mile in a strong :23 1/5 under
light urging. The talented gelding could be any kind.
Thursday (9/3)
6TH — MAJOR SMOKE (Birdonthewire) put in a nice late run in his first outing
since May, and the four-year-old gelding should be a big threat next out with
the added fitness.
7TH — QUEEN OFTHE CATSLE (Tale of the Cat) returned to her winning ways with
a narrow win over a talented field in here for Howard Zucker. The fleet
five-year-old should be very tough in up north.
Friday (9/4)
1ST — Hendricks made a possibly genius claim when taking first-time starter DIFERENTKINDAGREAT (Canadian Frontier) from this, as the debuting gelding put
this field away late to win by four lengths.
4TH — The ever consistent A LIL DUMAANI (Dumaani), who has made the Watch
List of various occasions, pulled off another win at a decent price for Doug O’
Neill when topping this fine field of turf sprinters.
8TH — Carlsbad was so much the best in here and is among the better one-turn
synthetic fillies in training for Mullins. The superb sophomore should be a big
factor in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in November.
Saturday (9/5)
4TH — It was good to see CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) return in good
form for Jerry Hollendorfer, and the three-year-old had an excellent comebacker
here when second to a nice one. He’s a genuine performer that should be in the
top three nearly every time out.
6TH — Previous Watch runner PULSION (Include) scored a race too late for us,
but the Patrick Biancone trainee came through at short odds, nonetheless, and we
still have high hopes for the juvenile.
9TH — ALWAYS A PRINCESS (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) is a half-sister to a Grade
1-wining filly, so we’ll keep a close eye on this one after rallied big to win
at first asking.
Sunday (9/6)
7TH — PRIVALEGED (Southern Image) was another in the long line of impressive
Sadler-trained two-year-olds at this meeting. The debuting juvenile crushed
this field and could be among the better ones in his shedrow.
9TH — We were pleased to see the brilliant EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck) put
forth another top effort against this field, as the classy seven-year-old ran a
winning race in defeat for Helen Pitts-Blasi. We’re looking forward to seeing
this one in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Monday (9/7)
2ND — PURE CLASS (Purge) was just that in here after thrashing her foes in a
superb maiden win for Sadler. The two-year-old filly, who was entered but later
scratched from Saturday’s Darley Debutante (G1), has star potential.
4TH — DEAL BREAKER (GB) (Night Shift) just missed in his U.S. debut for Mike
Mitchell, and the gelding could be a useful performer in California throughout
the rest of the year.
7TH — We think the top three finishers in this race, especially winner INDIAN
FIREWATER (Indian Charlie), have a chance to be good ones. Trained by Baffert, Indian Firewater rated kindly on the lead before putting away a less
experienced foe late and looked like he can run at least another furlong or two.
VIA VERDE (Cherokee Run) made a nice move approaching the final turn but
couldn’t match strides late. We expect the Sadler charge to win very soon.
MR CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) showed good speed before tiring late but
shouldn’t find such a difficult field to deal with in his return.