DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A big week of racing capped a fine meeting at Del Mar Race Course.
Del Mar Futurity (G1): Zayat Stables’ homebred AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneerof
the Nile) sped to the front right out of the chute and put on a stunning display
in giving conditioner Bob Baffert his 12th win in this race. The talented
two-year-old finished 4 3/4 lengths clear under the wire beneath Martin Garcia,
completing seven panels in a swift 1:21 2/5.
Del Mar Debutante S. (G1): Ten Broeck Farm’s SUNSET GLOW (Exchange Rate) was
taken off the pace early, moved to the fore in upper stretch and held off a
stern challenger en route to a neck tally for trainer Wesley Ward. The
ultra-talented two-year-old miss finished off seven-eighths on the main oval in
1:23 with Victor Espinoza in the irons.
Yellow Ribbon H. (G2): Cavalieri’s homebred MISS SERENDIPITY (Not for Sale)
swung wide entering the stretch and powerfully finished off this field under
Brice Blanc to be 1 1/4 lengths clear at the finish. The six-year-old mare from
the Ron McAnally barn endured 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in a speedy 1:40
4/5.
Del Mar Derby (G2): Dye and Venneri’s homebred MIDNIGHT STORM (Pioneerof the
Nile) took command as the gates opened and held an open-length lead at every
call in posting an upset for trainer Phil d’Amato. Piloted by Tyler Baze, the
sophomore colt finished up nine panels on the firm lawn in 1:47 2/5, winning by
3 1/4 lengths.
Torrey Pines S. (G3): Zayat Stables’ homebred JOJO WARRIOR (Pioneerof the
Nile) went straight to the front when the gate opened and never looked back in
posting a three-quarters length tally beneath Martin Garcia. The Bob Baffert
charge bagged a second straight stakes race in stopping the teletimer in 1:37
for one mile on the main oval.
Track Stats
From a total of 67 races held over the Southern California racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 37 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 52 frays contested on the
Polytrack oval, 14 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while one
of the 15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (7 percent).
The main oval played two different ways in our view during the closing week
of racing. Closers and horses with outer posts dominated early, but speed took
over during the final three race cards, with 10 wire-to-wire winners from 22
main-track frays. We thought the closing day had the most biased oval as front
runners were super tough and drawing away late, as well.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 326 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 255 | |
| TURF: | 71 | |
| FAVORITES: | 98 (30 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 70 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (11 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 69 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/27)
5TH — TIZ A KISS (Cee’s Tizzy) was last early and simply ran out of time in
finishing second to the short-priced favorite, but was more than five lengths
clear of third. We’re not sure if this one acts the same on dirt, but she is
razor sharp right now and can’t be ignored wherever she might show up.
Thursday (8/28)
2ND — BIG CAZANOVA (Giant’s Causeway) sped to the lead soon after the break
and was never challenged en route to a dominant allowance victory under Elvis
Trujillo. The Peter Miller import is surely going the best that he has since
arriving in the U.S. and should be stakes bound very soon.
Saturday (8/30)
2ND — ALFA BIRD (Birdstone) showed big early foot in this debut offering and
finished a nice second after being game in the lane for trainer Victor Garcia.
If the sophomore colt improves in his second run, he should be plenty tough for
sure after facing a more experienced field in this one.
3RD — BIG BANE THEORY (Artie Schiller) made a run at the early leader, was
repelled, and came again to just miss late in a fine try off the long layoff.
The Carla Gaines-trained five-year-old should improve next time, which will be
his second try in 2014.
4TH — FOOTSTEPSINBRONZE (Footstepsinthesand) was always well placed, took
command in the lane and strode home like a good thing for Simon Callaghan. The
sophomore colt has flashed good ability in nearly every start to date and should
be facing stakes foes in the very near future.
6TH — CALL TO CONGRATS (Congrats) broke slowest and had trouble while
steadying along the rail on the backside, but nothing would deter this John
Sadler trainee in graduating in a very good performance beneath Rafael Bejarano.
The juvenile filly is out of a nice one and could be one herself with more
development.
Sunday (8/31)
3RD — TIZ LADYS LEGS (Tiznow) was one we liked coming into the race and the
filly delivered with a measured 1 1/2-length victory for conditioner Neil
Drysdale. The bay Kentucky-bred was always in hand and responded like a good
thing when given her cue, looking to have a lot left past the wire, as well.
Keep an eye on this one for sure despite the moderate final time.
Wednesday (9/3)
4TH — RENEESGOTZIP (City Zip) made big strides forward in her second run on
2014 with a most facile stakes win for conditioner Peter Miller. The classy mare
was running on a biased oval but it really didn’t matter in our opinion as she
was tons the best in asserting herself from the break.
7TH — FAME AND POWER (First Defence) didn’t break best but got into
contention approaching the turn for home and finished well to be a clear second
at first asking for Bob Baffert. The juvenile colt was running against a winner
who had everything his own way on a surface that was carrying speed all day, so
this effort might have been better than it appears on paper.
8TH — CALCULATOR (In Summation) had no chance with the especially sharp
winner but the colt ran about as well as one could without getting a picture
taken. He could prove to be one of the better juveniles on the West Coast.
A Look Ahead
Racing in Southern California shifts to Los Alamitos on Friday.