Bienstock, Mandabach & Winner’s MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) produced her
patented late kick to extend her winning streak to three in a row in Sunday’s
$350,000
John C. Mabee S. (G1) at Del Mar. Trained by Paddy Gallagher and piloted by
regular rider Alex Solis, the 2-1 favorite mowed down the battling pair of Gotta
Have Her (Royal Academy) and pacesetter Patricia’s Gem (Mineshaft) en route to a
one-length score. Magical Fantasy, who was coming off victories in the April 18
Santa Barbara H. (G2) and May 30 Gamely S. (G1), stopped the teletimer in 1:47
for nine furlongs on the firm turf.
As expected, Patricia’s Gem went to the early lead and got away with
comfortable fractions of :23 4/5, :48 and 1:12. Briecat (Adcat), Tuscan Evening
(Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) and Charming Legacy (Ire) (Danehill) were content to
stalk, while Solis had anchored Magical Fantasy in seventh. On the far turn,
Patricia’s Gem tried to spurt away, but Gotta Have Her went after her from
midpack. Gotta Have Her was gradually getting to Patricia’s Gem, and in deep
stretch, the two were in an all-out struggle.
At this point, Magical Fantasy was just reaching top gear on the outside.
Driving home with a powerful rush, the four-year-old justified her favoritism
and returned $6.40, $4.20 and $2.80.
The nearly 8-1 Gotta Have Her prevailed over Patricia’s Gem by a half-length
for second, providing $7.20 and $4.60. Third was worth $3.80 at 4-1. The $1
exotics totaled $23.30 (exacta), $129.60 (trifecta) and $456.20 (3-7-6-8
superfecta) with Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) checking in fourth. Charming
Legacy finished fifth and was followed by Meydan Princess (Ire) (Choisir), Bel
Air Sizzle (Unusual Heat), Tuscan Evening and Briecat. Lethal Heat (Unusual
Heat) was withdrawn.
Magical Fantasy is now two-for-two on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course, having
upset last year’s Del Mar Oaks (G1) at 42-1. Since the Mabee (formerly known as
the Ramona) was switched to turf in 1970, only two other Del Mar Oaks winners
have won the Mabee the following season — Country Queen (1979) and Hall of
Famer Flawlessly (1992-94).
Prior to her current winning streak, Magical Fantasy had finished second in
the La Canada S. (G2) and fourth in the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1),
both on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride. Last year, she posted a near-miss runner-up
effort in the Senorita S. (G3) in her American debut and a fourth in the
Matriarch S. (G1). With this fourth career stakes score, her record now reads
16-5-4-0, $859,258.
Bred by Rodes S. Parrish and Charles Beach IV in Kentucky, Magical Fantasy is
out of the winning Easy Goer mare Kissing Gate, who has also produced English
stakes hero Forward Move (Ire) (Dr Fong) and an unraced juvenile colt named One
French Kiss (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]). Kissing Gate is herself a half-sister to
Keen Hunter (Diesis [GB]), successful in the 1991 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp
(Fr-G1), and Grade 2 victor Altibr (Diesis [GB]). This is the family of 1984
Middle Park S. (Eng-G1) scorer Bassenthwaite (Habitat).