DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
by John Mucciolo
A quintet of big races topped the final week of racing at Del Mar Race
Course.
Del Mar Futurity S. (G1): Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams’ TAMARANDO
(Bertrando) was near the back of the pack turning for home and unleashed a big
late kick while very wide to post the minor upset in this big race for
conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The juvenile colt, who was ridden by Julien
Leparoux, finished off seven-eighths on the Polytrack oval in 1:23.
Del Mar Debutante S. (G1): Stuart Downey et al’s SHE’S A TIGER (Tale
of the Cat) pressed the pace to the top of the lane, opened up a big lead late
and held sway in the final yards to pick up her biggest win for trainer Jeff
Bonde. The juvenile filly sped seven panels on the main oval in 1:22 3/5 under
the guidance of Gary Stevens.
Del Mar Derby (1st division) (G2): House and Britt’s GABRIEL CHARLES
(Street Hero) commenced his stretch run four-wide in the lane, reached even
terms in midstretch and inched clear to a 1 1/4-length tally for trainer Jeff
Mullins. The classy sophomore, who was piloted by Mike Smith, came home fast to
clock the 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf in 1:46 4/5.
Del Mar Derby (2nd division) (G2): Craig and Bello’s ETHNIC DANCE
(Tribal Rule) took the lead soon after the start and was never headed en route
to a 1 1/4-length tally beneath Edwin Maldonado. The three-year-old colt stopped
the teletimer for nine panels on the firm lawn in 1:48 1/5 for conditioner John
Sadler.
Yellow Ribbon S. (G2): Little Red Feather Racing’s EGG DROP (Alphabet
Soup) tracked in second to the top of the lane, took a short lead in midstretch
and gamely held off a nice one on her way to a head decision for conditioner
Mike Mitchell. The four-year-old filly endured 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf
oval in 1:40 2/5 under the guidance of Martin Garcia.
Track Stats
From a total of 67 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the
past week plus, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 48 percent of the wins. From 49 frays contested on the
Polytrack oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent), while five
of the 18 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (28 percent).
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 328 | |
| POLYTRACK: | 234 | |
| TURF: | 94 | |
| FAVORITES: | 103 (31 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 65 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 19 (20 percent) | |
| POLY WIRE: | 61 (26 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (8/29)
8TH — STRONG WIND (Tribal Rule) put in a big late run, and while the colt
burned a lot of money, the sophomore ran big in defeat for conditioner Mark
Glatt. The stakes-quality colt will be a major player right back with any kind
of forward progression in his return.
Friday (8/30)
3RD — We really liked the acceleration VIONETT (Street Sense) put in this
affair from a visual standpoint for trainer Richard Mandella. The four-year-old
filly finished off her final five-sixteenths in a rapid :28 4/5 and could be on
track for a nice second half of 2013.
6TH — HOLY LUTE (Midnight Lute) returns to this list with an ultra-game
stakes tally over a Grade 1 quality runner for trainer James Cassidy. The
precocious sophomore has run big in all three lifetime races to date and could
eventually also be a fine turf performer, we believe.
Saturday (8/31)
2ND — SCHOOLOFHARDROCKS (Rock Hard Ten) made a powerful run into the lane
and graduated at first asking in a fine showing under Victor Espinoza. The David
Hoffmans trainee overcame the rail and a pretty good prospect to gain this tally
and he bears watching going forward for a conditioner not know for getting debut
winners, especially at two turns.
4TH — We have a big opinion of maiden winner NEW YEAR’S DAY (Street Cry),
who was very professional throughout this measured tally. The Bob Baffert pupil
has tactical speed and a great stride, and his dam was a multiple Grade 2 winner
with a ton of versatility. He appears to be a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile type.
8TH — TIZ THE TRUTH (Tiznow) looked little like the fine prospect we watched
this spring, but the Baffert charge had to need one off the long break, and he
simply might not be a fan of this Polytrack surface. We’ll tab the colt for
major improvement in his next outing, likely on the dirt at Santa Anita.
Sunday (9/1)
1ST — SOI PHET (Tizbud) made it four in succession since joining the barn of
Leonard Powell, taking a short lead turning for home and proving too much to
deal with late in another fine race in a lifetime-best form cycle. This barn has
done some fine work with the five-year-old gelding.
8TH — BELLE OF THE FLEET (Northern Afleet) broke perfectly out of the gate
and never turned back in posting a facile 4 1/4-length win for conditioner Dan
Hendricks. The two-year-old miss ran swiftly from start to finish and will
likely be a presence in with winners next time with proper placement.
Wednesday (9/4)
1ST — GYPSY ROBIN (Daaher) looked like her old self with a fine tally in
this opener, in a race that might be better than it looks on paper. The Grade 2
heroine was never challenged seriously and will almost surely be graded stakes
bound in her next outing.
MKADAME CACTUS (Cactus Ridge) made a fine run through the lane and was a
clear second in her first run since November. The Peter Eurton-conditioned
stakes winner has a lot of options and could have a fine second half of this
campaign.
3RD — DIAMON BACHELOR (War Front) has been superb from a pair of lifetime
tries for trainer Patrick Biancone and could evolve into any type with expected
progression. The expensive juvenile purchase is sure looking worth it to this
point.
A Look Ahead
The racing action moves to Fairplex Park.