Anastasi et al.’s LEPRECHAUN KID (Alphabet Soup) raced alone for the lead
for much of the race, was headed in midstretch by Laura’s Lucky Boy (Theatrical
[Ire]), and fought back gamely to capture the $250,000
Del Mar H. (G2) by a nose
on Sunday. Racing well clear of his competitors early in the marathon grass
race, the gray set splits of :24 3/5, :49, 1:13 2/5, 1:38 and 2:01 2/5,
concluding the 1 3/8 miles in 2:12 4/5 over firm going. Trained by Mike Mitchell
and ridden by Tyler Baze, the gelding returned $18.20, $8.20 and $5.40, while
keying the $51.60 exacta, $441 trifecta and $4,555.10 superfecta, all for $1.
Laura’s Lucky Boy raced in second for much of the race before being asked for
his best, closing gamely before losing by a slim margin late. The four-year-old
gave back $6.20 and $4 at 9-2. Exterior (Distant View) was another four lengths
back but charged from off the pace to garner the show, paying $4.20 at odds of
4-1. Continental Red (Flying Continental) concluded the superfecta another nose
back at 24-1, and was trailed by Runaway Dancer (Runaway Groom), Always First
(GB) (Barathea [Ire]), Outta Here (Dehere), Kilkea Castle (Pleasant Colony), Continuously (Diesis
[GB]) and Sarafan (Lear Fan), who was eased prior to the finish. Habaneros
(Tabasco Cat) and Noble Masterpiece (Regal Classic) were withdrawn.
Leprechaun Kid paid instant dividends after being claimed for $80,000
following his previous race, earning his third local win and seventh overall
(38-7-1-8). The six-year-old boosted his earnings to $418,574 after this, his
initial stakes tally.
Bred in the Bluegrass State by Adena Springs, the winner fetched a bid of
$8,000 at the 2000 OBS August Yearling Sale. Leprechaun Kid is out of the stakes-winning Melina Mou (Ire) (Persian Bold) and has an unnamed yearling full-sister,
as well as an unnamed 2005 half-brother by Lido Palace (Chi).