DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012
by John Mucciolo
A quartet of graded tilts concluded the closing week at Del Mar Race Course.
Del Mar Futurity (G1): Arnold Zetcher’s ROLLING FOG (Posse) took
command in early stretch and powered home a 1 1/4-length winner under Rafael
Bejarano, who notched a record 13th stakes victory of the meet. The unbeaten
juvenile extended Bob Baffert’s record tally in this race to 11 and traveled
seven furlongs in 1:22 4/5 on the Polytrack.
Del Mar Debutante (G1): Watson, Weitman and Pegram’s
EXECUTIVEPRIVELEGE (First Samurai) ran her unbeaten streak to four with a
desperate nose victory, getting up in the final jumps for Baffert. The
mega-talented filly went especially wide in the lane but still came out on top
under Bejarano, completing seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5.
Yellow Ribbon S. (G2): Blackmore et al’s HALO DOLLY (Popular) starting
making up ground approaching the turn for home and closed with good energy to
come out on top by 1 1/4 lengths under Joe Talamo, winning this event that was
formerly known as the Palomar. The Cal-bred mare sped 1 1/16 miles on the firm
lawn in a swift 1:40 2/5 to earn her biggest win for co-owner/trainer Jerry
Hollendorfer.
Del Mar Derby (G2): Currin and Eisaman’s homebred MY BEST BROTHER
(Stormy Atlantic) took the lead soon after the start and never looked back in
posting a fine tally in this one for conditioner Julio Canani. The sophomore
colt was a half-length clear under the wire, getting nine panels on the firm
turf in 1:46 4/5 beneath Martin Garcia.
Track Stats
From a total of 67 races held at the Southern California racetrack over the
final six days of the meet, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 48 percent of the wins. From 52 frays contested on
the Polytrack oval, 13 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while
two of the 15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (13 percent).
Trainer Peter Miller saddled a trio of winners on closing day to bag the
trainers’ title by a single victory, with 21 photo takers. It should be noted
that Doug O’Neill and his assistant Leandro Mora combined to pick up 28 wins,
Mora getting credit for the final 10 after O’Neill began a suspension.
Jockey Rafael Bejarano cemented his place as the boss in Southern California
by picking up another jockeys’ title, and made some history on the way with his
record-setting stakes wins.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 328 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 235 | |
| TURF: | 93 | |
| FAVORITES: | 106 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 58 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 17 (18 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 54 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/29)
7TH — TILDE (Swiss Yodeler) showed her versatility while rating early in
this one and took over late in posting her second straight stakes win at this
meeting. The Mike Harrington pupil proved stubborn in holding off a runner with
a lot of momentum, and still gives the impression she can handle more ground.
Thursday (8/30)
3RD — LANIDA (Lion Heart) showed nice improvement on the class drop and just
missed running down a clear one in the lane here for conditioner Mike Puype.
This lass could be a big player in her next if kept with similar company.
8TH — GRASSY (El Prado) was racing at a trip far shorter than his best and
had no pace to rally into in his West Coast debut today for trainer Marty Jones.
The six-year-old is eligible for big improvement next time with more ground to
work with.
Saturday (9/1)
1ST — BIG SUN OF A GUN (Kafwain) ran his win streak to three at this meeting
with another top showing in this one, this time back on the main oval. The
gelded four-year-old has never been better as is worth sticking with until he
proves otherwise.
5TH — OSCILLATOR (Decarchy) followed up a big maiden claiming win with a
rallying second on this oval against allowance foes for trainer Jose Periban.
The sophomore filly ran into a nice winner today and is clearly a solid lass.
6TH — FED BIZ (Giant’s Causeway) was all heart in here off the comeback,
dueling every step of the way with a talented sophomore before winning late. The
sophomore colt flashed so much potential earlier in this campaign and could have
a nice second half of the year.
Sunday (9/2)
4TH — JOHN SCOTT (Bertrando) looked beaten in the latter stages but showed a
ton of heart on hanging on for this stakes win for trainer Carla Gaines. The
gelding is all the way back after the nearly three-year layoff, and we will
consider him in logical spots from here on out.
5TH — PURE INDY (Pure Prize) took a lot of money and deservedly so, as the
Craig Dollase debuter looked like a real nice one late when blowing past this
field under Victor Espinoza. The juvenile filly was mostly in hand in the latter
stages and gives the impression of a lass with a real bright future.
9TH — MECHAYA (City Zip) was overbet in this field off of just one race, but
the talented filly from the John Sadler barn was a good third behind two real
nice ones and could turn out really nice herself.
Monday (9/3)
5TH — POTESTA (Macho Uno) did not disappoint at short odds with a fine score
in front -running fashion today for trainer Mike Mitchell. The Grade 2 heroine
has never run a bad one with a trio of big wins since stretching out to two
turns, and could be the top sophomore filly on the West Coast.
6TH — GODLENCENTS (Into Mischief) took a lot of early money and now we know
why, after the debuting colt annihilated this field by 7 1/4 lengths. The
Kentucky-bred went fairly slow early and flew home in a fantastic finish,
hinting that he should be able to run longer. He’s a nice prospect.
Wednesday (9/5)
7TH — HALF DOME DUDE (Kela) could turn out to be a nice claim for trainer
John Sadler, as the useful sort has now put in a pair of nice closing efforts
off the long break.
A Look Ahead
The racing action now moves to Fairplex, starting on Friday.