DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 27, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A quartet of graded races, including the biggest event of the season, led the
way this week at Del Mar Race Course.
Pacific Classic (G1): Jungle Racing et al’s unbeaten champion SHARED
BELIEF (Candy Ride) swept to the front nearing midstretch and powered home to a
convincing 2 3/4-length score in the signature race of the meeting. The Jerry
Hollendorfer trainee established himself as a major presence going forward in
the Horse of the Year race and moved his mark to six-for-six, completing 10
panels on the main oval in 2:00 1/5 with Mike Smith in the silks.
Pat O’Brien H. (G2): W. C. Racing’s GOLDENCENTS (Into Mischief)
spurted to the lead soon after the break and gave his foes no chance late en
route to a powerful 4 1/4-length romp under Rafael Bejarano. The superb Doug
O’Neill charge sped home for seven panels on the Polytrack in a stakes record
1:20 4/5, winning under steady handling late.
Del Mar Mile H. (G2): Braly Family Trust’s TOM’S TRIBUTE (Lion Heart)
corralled the clear and short-priced leader in midstretch and finished off a
fine run to bag a second straight graded race on this lawn. The James Cassidy
trainee, who was ridden by Smith, was a length clear late in finishing off one
mile on the firm lawn in 1:33 3/5.
Del Mar H. (G2): Michael House’s BIG JOHN B (Hard Spun) moved into
contention at the top of the lane and spurted clear to a decisive victory
beneath Smith. The Phil d’Amato trainee picked up his first graded win in
completing the 1 3/8 miles on the firm turf in 2:12 4/5, finishing 5 1/4 lengths
clear under the line.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 34 frays contested on the Polytrack
oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while none of the
10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead.
Early speed was not as dominant this week as it had been earlier in the
meeting. And of the eight who led at each call on the Polytrack, all came in
sprint runs, with four alone on Saturday. Sunday saw six of the eight races
contested on the main oval taken by runners breaking from post seven and wider.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 259 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 203 | |
| TURF: | 56 | |
| FAVORITES: | 73 (27 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 53 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 7 (15 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 55 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/20)
5TH — GRAZENETTE (Grzazen) made a big move entering the stretch and powered
home a sharp winner going away under Joe Talamo. The Phil d’Amato trainee showed
nice improvement off of her last and we’ve always though this one had some
ability.
7TH — ALEXIS TANGIER (Tiznow) proved more than capable of handling this
route event with a solid allowance tally for conditioner Richard Mandella. The
sophomore filly was patient after a good break, inched to the lead in early
stretch and then powered home to a fine tally beneath Victor Espinoza.
Thursday (8/21)
5TH — ASHLEY’S SASSY (Decarchy) built upon a solid debut try with a very
professional tally to break her maiden for conditioner Peter Eurton. The
juvenile miss shrugged off a pair of challengers leading up to the top of the
lane and kept to task without being seriously threatened late. She could evolve
into a stakes horse with more seasoning.
Friday (8/22)
5TH — Trainer Peter Miller wisely claimed PASSING GAME (Game Plan) out of
this one, as the peaking sort ran a third straight big race on this main oval
this summer. We’re not sure if the gelding is only a Del Mar specialist or has
simply morphed into a nice runner, but he’s one we want in our shedrow right
now.
Saturday (8/23)
2ND — While we pretty convinced she didn’t beat a great field in this maiden
run, the 6 3/4-length romp by PLAY HARD TO GET (Purim) was still very impressive
from a visual standpoint. The Eric Kruljac trainee made a big move approaching
the turn for home and stayed on with it, decimating this field with ease. We’d
imagine the gelding will be one to watch with winners next out.
4TH — A C Avila’s MASOCHISTIC (Sought After) should be headed for stakes
foes last time after a third straight wire-to-wire tally following this effort,
which he won with ease. The four-year-old gelding has been incredibly sharp
following his debut run and beat a pair of decent runners in this dash.
Sunday (8/24)
1ST — CONQUEST PANTHERA (Kitten’s Joy) lived up to the hype when exploding
once clear in the lane en route to a sharp debut tally for conditioner Mark
Casse. The juvenile colt was hammered down at first asking and should be in the
stakes ranks next time.
2ND –BEE BRAVE (Rail Link) was stuck for most of the stretch run, but once
clear the import proved much the best. We’re not very fond of the field the
Simon Callaghan trainee toppled in here, but is was a second straight positive
step and she could be tough right back.
6TH — This was a big day for Cassidy, who also saddle a sharp first time
winner in INTO OBLIVION (Into Mischief), who was much the best late. The
juvenile filly might turn out to be a nice one, as we’re not sure we’ve ever
seen a first-time winner at the special weight level from this barn.
A Look Ahead
The Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Debutante will top the racing on Saturday here.
Sunday will play host to the Grade 2, $300,000 Del Mar Derby and the Grade 3,
$100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes — while the Labor Day feature is the Grade 2,
$200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap. Racing wraps up next Wednesday with the annual
closing-day, the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.