DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 29, 2012
by John Mucciolo
The signature race of the meet highlighted the big weekend at Del Mar Race
Course.
Pacific Classic S. (G1): Donegal Racing’s DULLAHAN (Even the Score)
was near the back early, made some minor advancement approaching the final turn,
and then exploded late to run down heavy favorite Game on Dude (Awesome Again)
to score by a half-length under Joel Rosario. The Dale Romans-trained sophomore
got his 1 1/4 miles on the main oval in a stakes-record 1:59 2/5 to notch his
third career win — all Grade 1s and all on Polytrack.
Pat O’Brien S. (G1): Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable’s CAPITAL
ACCOUNT (Closing Argument) made a nice late push inside the final furlong to
corral stablemate Coil (Point Given) and prove best for conditioner Bob Baffert.
The five-year-old sped seven-eighths on the main oval in 1:21 2/5 beneath David
Flores.
Del Mar H. (G2): Gary and Mary West’s CASINO HOST (Dynaformer) took
the lead inside the sixteenth pole and gamely held off the favorite late to
score for conditioner Ron Ellis. The four-year-old colt endured 1 3/8 miles on
the firm lawn in 2:14 3/5 under the guidance of Joe Talamo.
Del Mar Mile H. (G2): Fanticola and Scardino’s OBVIOUSLY (Choisir)
opened a big edge early, retained the advantage until early stretch and then
held on gamely to win by a nose, setting a new course mark in the process. The
Mike Mitchell charge, who was making his graded stakes debut, sizzled one mile
on the lawn in a wicked 1:32 under Talamo.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 27 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 39 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Polytrack
oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while four of the 13
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (31 percent).
It was a challenging week from a handicapping standpoint, as many favorites
and second choices went down, with the top two betting options coming home for a
combined 39 percent win rate.
Speed was clearly best on the main oval on the Friday card, with three
wire-to-wire winners and two others that were close up in the early going.
The turf course produced two wire jobs in both sprint and route races. The
lawn here has been more forgiving to early types as of late.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 261 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 183 | |
| TURF: | 78 | |
| FAVORITES: | 85 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 47 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 15 (19 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 41 (22 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/22)
7TH — MAKER OR BREAKER (Empire Maker) battled gamely to the wire to be a
narrow second, her first start against winners going a route of ground, and the
Bob Baffert trainee remains very promising off this fine performance. We still
have high hopes for the well-bred filly.
Thursday (8/23)
2ND — POWER SERIES (Mizzen Mast) paid instant dividends off the claim for
conditioner Julio Canani, rating early and powering home late in a sharp tally.
The Euro import had been showing sped and tiring late in most of his races prior
to this one, and the change of tactics clearly aided the five-year-old.
4TH — ORIENTATIOUS (Orientate) showed that the move to the lawn was just
what was needed for her to get back to her best, as she sped clear and never
gave this allowance group a chance. The promising filly looked to be of stakes
quality in the past and seems bound for something of that nature in the near
future.
6TH — JESSE’S GIACOMO (Giacomo) was very professional at first asking in
this spot, rallying well along the inside to win in smart fashion under Kevin
Krigger. The filly should be live versus starter allowance foes in her return.
Saturday (8/25)
3RD — PERFECTA (Pleasantly Perfect) followed up a dazzling maiden win with
another strong showing in taking down this allowance field in her first start
with winners. The Richard Mandella pupil was always well placed and surged home
late in getting her final five-sixteenths in as swift :29 1/5.
6TH — ROSIES READY (Ready’s Image) was always wide in this one but still put
in a solid first run for trainer John Sadler, finishing well clear in third. The
juvenile filly should be one to watch in her comeback with even slight
improvement, and a better trip.
Sunday (8/26)
3RD — IVE STRUCK A NERVE (Yankee Gentleman) was just two necks shy of
pulling off a big upset in this one, showing nice improvement for trainer Keith
Desormeaux. We think this colt could have a fairly decent future cut out for him
if he continues to step forward.
6TH — DOINGHARDTIMEAGAIN (Minister’s Wildcat) showed speed, came out in the
two path in the lane and made the winner work hard to earn her tally in a fine
debut showing for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. We’d expect this miss to fire
right back and graduate soon.
7TH — The addition of blinkers on MR. COMMONS (Artie Schiller) may have
served as something of a wake-up call as the four-year-old looked to be at his
best in here with a near miss. We still track the colt and consider him top
class.
9TH — GAME ON DUDE proved he can rate, moved to the fore at ease and was
just second best in a strong runner-up showing. This gelding has been fantastic
for some time now, and we thought pilot Chantal Sutherland did everything
perfectly in the irons. We still say the Polytrack is the least favored surface
for the five-year-old, making this showing all the more impressive.
11TH — LEVEL HEADED (Eddington) ran the best race in this field in our
opinion, and showed two moves in finishing a strong second. The Tom Proctor
charge will not be a maiden for long.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Debutante for
juvenile fillies. The Sunday action will be led by the Grade 2, $300,000 Del Mar
Derby, and the Holiday card plays host to the Grade 2, $250,000 Yellow Ribbon
Handicap (formerly Palomar).