DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 15, 2012
by John Mucciolo
A trio of graded races highlighted the week at Del Mar Race Course.
John C. Mabee S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s CITY TO CITY
(City Zip) moved outside for the stretch run, and despite jockey Corey Nakatani
losing his whip, still ran past this group to earn a nice tally. The
five-year-old mare was a nose clear under the line and got nine furlongs on the
firm lawn in 1:46 2/5.
La Jolla H. (G2): Glen Hill Farm’s homebred OLD TIME HOCKEY (Smarty
Jones) wore down the clear leader in the final stages to earn a nose victory for
trainer Tom Proctor. The improving sophomore Florida-bred finished off 1 1/16
miles on the firm turf in a solid 1:40 2/4 under Joe Talamo.
Sorrento S. (G3): Watson, Weitman and Pegram’s EXECUTIVEPRIVILEGE
(First Samurai) looked very good once again in remaining unbeaten with a 1
1/4-length tally under Rafael Bejarano. The Bob Baffert trainee got 6 1/2
furlongs in 1:16 4/5 to earn her first graded tally.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 28 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 44 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the Polytrack
oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while three of the
15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (20 percent).
Speed on the main strip was surely best on Thursday, with four wire-to-wire
winners coming through from five main-track races. This main track was not so
kind to speed horses the following three race days.
Outside posts endured an horrific week, with just three runners winning while
breaking from wider than post six from 28 races. But, at the same time, many
winners went wide in the stretch to win, so we’re not sure what to make of that
statistic.
If you haven’t caught on, it seems as though everything trainer Tom Proctor
sends out is firing big, so keep an eye on those runners going forward.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 175 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 124 | |
| TURF: | 51 | |
| FAVORITES: | 58 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 34 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 11 (21 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 30 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/8)
4TH — SUANCES VIXEN (Suances) found the drop from the special weight level
to here was a very good move, as the Darrell Vienna trainee put in a nice rally
to run down a clear one in the lane and graduate second time out. We don’t know
what the filly beat in here, but she could factor if properly placed next time.
Thursday (8/9)
1ST — IN A TWINKLING (Include) was allowed a clear lead early and
never looked back in posting a solid tally to kick off this day. The
four-year-old filly never looked like she was stopping and we think she could be
a player at a price right back.
7TH — KINGPIN RYNO (In Excess) returns to the list and made us look good, as
we are now sure that the Joshua Litt trainee has really found his niche as a
late-running turf sprinter. A good second last out, the consistent gelding ran
down this field from last in a solid finale time.
Friday (8/10)
2ND — JUST A MIRAGE (Decarchy) showed big early foot from the rail and
stayed on well to the wire, finishing a clear second at 61-1 odds. We are not
used to seeing debuters for the Mike Puype barn go off at prices like this, but
this one was no fluke and should be live next out.
6TH — MECHAYA (City Zip) was well touted coming into this debut run and
didn’t disappoint, taking over in early stretch and powering home a fine,
two-length winner in this spot under Rafael Bejarano. The John Sadler first
timer finished off 5 1/2 panels in a swift 1:03 and has the look of a fine
sprinter/miler type.
IMWITHTHEBLONDE (Montbrook) led to the lane and stayed on well to be more
than eight lengths clear of second in a sharp debut showing, also for Sadler.
This one will not be a maiden for long.
8TH — STREET CAR (Street Cry) had some buzz around him and, in the
multi-race action and the Mark Glatt trainee showed why, with a dominating win
in this finale. The gelded six-year-old never gave his foes a chance and
completed six panels in a sharp 1:09 2/5 while under a hand ride late. We’re not
sure what woke him up, but we have to play him right back if he runs here.
Saturday (8/11)
7TH — SMART AND SINGLE (Smart Strike) showed her dominant maiden win was no
fluke, as the Baffert charge demolished this field at will in posting her second
straight facile tally. The lightly raced sophomore could be any kind, and we’re
excited to watch her progression.
Sunday (8/12)
3RD — NO SILENT (Silent Name) was head strong for a lot of this race and
battled gamely to the wire to just miss in this spot. The Gary Mandella trainee
might be better at shorter trips, or just needs to relax a bit more, but he’s
been first or second in each lifetime run and must continue to be used.
5TH — CABALLO DEL CIELO (Songandaprayer) never looked real settled in here
and didn’t finish the way we expected him to, but the Jeff Bonde trainee still
ended up a close second here and has tons of room for improvement. He had a lot
of hype coming into this, and may have been facing a good group.
A Look Ahead
Saturday plays host to the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, while the Grade 3,
$150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap tops the Sunday action.