Del Mar Daily Notebook

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Del Mar kicked off its 2007 meet in traditional fashion with the Oceanside S.

for three-year-olds going eight furlongs on the grass. In the past, it has

become the norm for this event to be split into two divisions as it serves as an

excellent prep race for the Del Mar Derby (G2), which will be contested on

September 2. This year, however, the number of nominations forced it to

actually be divided into three divisions for the first time in history.

The first division kicked off Wednesday's card and, although nine were

entered, only six went to the gate. European invader TEN A PENNY (Gulch) was

sent off by the betting public as the post time favorite off his stellar

5-4-0-0 record across the pond. Only two of those starts actually came on the

grass and one of those accounted for his only defeat. Even in that effort, the dark bay put in a very nice effort as he rallied from last to finish

fourth, where he was beaten by only 2 1/2 lengths.

Once the gates sprang open, Ten a Penny was content to lay off the pace early

through opening fractions of :23 1/5 and :48 3/5 before making a four-wide move

off the final turn and closing well late to cross the finish line 1 1/2 lengths

in front.

Unusual Suspect (Unusual Heat), who always seems to put in good efforts on

the grass, closed from just off the pace to cross the wire in second, a half-length clear of Bernasconi (Rahy), who rallied from last to finish third.

The second division of the Oceanside came in the 4TH race with a field of

10 going to the post. Tycoon Doby (Cherokee Run) was sent to the gate as the

favorite after picking up victories in his first two starts on the grass before

finishing third in the Cinema Breeders' Cup H. (G3) at Hollywood in his last

start. Those playing the favorite didn't fare so well this time as the bay ran

into a bit of trouble in the first turn and was forced to steady. The colt did

work his way back into position and made a nice four wide move through the

stretch but was forced to settle for third.

In the end, the day belonged to 19-1 outsider KNOCKOUT ARTIST (Exploit), who

was content to lay off the pace early through opening fractions of :23 4/5 and

:48 2/5 before making a nice move along the rail through the stretch drive to

gamely garner the victory by a head. The chestnut has been in good form

all year as he had compiled a record of 6-3-1-2, which included a victory in his

turf debut that came in his last start at Golden Gate.

Medici Code (GB) (Medicean) pressed the pace early before taking the lead

briefly in the stretch drive. Though the chestnut fought gamely to the finish,

he could not hold off the late charge of the winner and was forced to settle for

second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of Tycoon Doby (Cherokee Run).

The final division was marred by the breakdown of favorite Mayor Bozarth

(Deputy Commander), who was in contention in the stretch drive when the

unfortunate incident occurred. The dark bay was vanned off and, at the time of

this writing, his condition was unknown.

VAUQUELIN (Ire) (Xaar [GB]) put in an outstanding performance to pick up the

victory. The bay was content to lay last through opening fractions of :23 4/5

and :48 3/5 before moving into contention in the stretch drive. The colt then

encountered a wall of horses in front of him and was forced to wait for a hole

to open but once it did, he closed with a tremendous turn of foot to cross the

finish line a length in front.

Yario (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) was no match for the winner but put in an

outstanding effort from off the pace to pick up the place, a neck in front of

Teeman (In Excess [Ire]) in third.

Though there were no routes, there were five sprints contested on the

Polytrack and the trend went against what was expected as horses on or near the

pace won all of them. It was almost as if the jockeys were being a bit tentative

early by laying off the pace in anticipation of it playing to closers. Though it

is difficult to determine anything one way or the other after one day, it

appears that Del Mar is being much kinder to speed than its Polytrack

predecessors.

In addition to the three stakes races, there was one additional turf route

which was won by a runner closing from off the pace.

Victor Espinoza and Corey Nakatani each rode three winners on the day,

leaving the pair in a tie atop the jockey standings. Michael Baze won two

divisions of the Oceanside and sits alone in third.

Peter Miller saddled two winners on the day to take the early lead in the

trainer standings. Seven separate trainers, including Craig Dollase and Richard

Mandella, each saddled one winner each.

Horses to Watch

3RD - KANAN DUME (Malibu Moon) had an extremely impressive debut for trainer

Richard Mandella in this 5 1/2 furlong maiden special weight event. Not only was

the two-year-old visually impressive on the track, but he actually ran as well

as he looked as he pressed the pace early through opening fractions of :23 2/5

and :47 3/5 before digging in gamely late to hit the finish line a neck in

front. The chestnut has the appearance of one that is only going to get better

if he stretches out.

9TH - Vauquelin is always a pretty consisted performer on the grass but the

bay took a major step forward here with an outstanding effort. The colt looms a

definite threat should the connections decide to move on to the Del Mar Derby.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, July 19

Thursday's 7TH race is an allowance/optional claiming event for three-year-olds and up

going 1 1/16 miles over the Polytrack. A field of 10, including one coupled

entry, is scheduled to go to the gate and several among the field appear to have

a legitimate chance of bringing home the victory.

RAILROAD (Double Honor) typically puts in his best performances on or near

the lead, which could prove to be detrimental here. However, the gelding is one

of the more accomplished members of the field and the fact that he comes from

the barn of Brian Koriner makes him worth a long hard look - especially if the

price is right. HELLO SUNDAY (Fr) (Poliglote [GB]) has just not seemed to be

able to get on track since arriving in Bobby Frankel's barn from Europe, but did

show signs of life when overcoming a troubled trip to miss by two lengths in the

Arcadia H. (G2) at Santa Anita in April. Though he finished fourth last out

against allowance company, any improvement at all makes him a threat.

Thursday's Best Plays

3RD - HIT IT SKIP (Skip Away) will be taking a huge class drop in his first

start for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in this claiming event. Normally a

drop of this nature would be a cause for concern, but the gray has been working well

for his return to the track and he had not exactly been setting the world on

fire prior to his claim. It appears that his connections may be legitimately

dropping him into a level where they think he can win. The four-year-old colt's

BRIS Class rating is the best in the field and he is also tops in BRIS Prime

Power by more than five points.

6TH - SNOW FIGHTER (Siberian Summer) is coming off a nice maiden score at

Hollywood, where he pressed the pace early on his way to a 2 1/2-length victory.

The gray posted a very respectable 96 BRIS Speed rating in that event and a

repeat of that performance would make him very tough here. Though this will be

his first try on the grass, progeny of Siberian Summer win 16 percent of their starts

on the grass and the dam, Oasis (Water Bank), has already produced one turf

winner from three starters.