DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2005
by Brian P. Turner
A pair of graded stakes races highlighted Sunday’s racing action at Del Mar,
including the premier stakes event of the meet — the $1 million Pacific Classic
S. (G1). A field of 11 three-year-olds and upward went to the post for the 10-furlong event, with Lava Man (Slew City Slew) sent off by the betting public as
the post time favorite. Once the field left the gate, the dark bay immediately
went for the lead as he attempted to go gate to wire, guiding the field through
quick early fractions of :22 3/5 and :45 4/5.
As the field hit the top of the stretch though, many of those that had been
content to lay near the back of the pack early came running, with BORREGO (El Prado[Ire]) making a five wide move off of the turn. As they moved through the
stretch, Borrego continued to cut into the lead and he was joined by Perfect
Drift (Dynaformer) as the pair eventually ran down the pacesetter. Borrego dug
in gamely at the end, holding off Perfect Drift, to hit the wire a half-length
in front.
This was Borrego’s first trip to the winner’s circle since capturing an
optional-claiming event at Santa Anita back in February. The chestnut had been
competitive in most of his efforts since but had twice come up on the short end
of the stick to Lava Man. The difference today had to be the early pace as Lava
Man was faced with much hotter early fractions than he had to contend with in
either of those events and this allowed Borrego to finally turn the tables on
his rival.
In a repeat of his performance in last year’s Classic, Perfect Drift crossed
the finish line in second, a neck in front of a very game Lava Man in third.
Unfortunately, afterward Lava Man pulled up and had to be vanned off as did
Musique Toujours (Musique d’Enfer). At the time of this writing, the
circumstances surrounding these incidents were not known.
Also on Sunday, a field of eight, including one coupled entry, contested the
seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). Uunfurl the Flag (Bertrando)
was sent off as the even-money favorite but, unfortunately for chalk players, he
may have been a little to close to the pace on early fractions that went in :21
4/5 and :44. The bay was in contention at the top of the stretch but faded
through the lane to finish sixth.
In the end, it was IMPERIALISM (Langfuhr) who rallied from the back of the
pack, with a nice closing move through the stretch drive, to hit the wire three
parts of a length in front. The gray was making his first start since finishing
seventh in the Santa Anita H. (G1) back in March and this was his first try at
sprinting since February of 2004. Trainer Kristin Mulhall definitely had the
four-year-old colt ready to roll, though, as he looked extremely impressive in his
performance.
Gotaghostofachance (Silver Ghost) made a nice late move up the rail to pick
up the place, 2 1/2 lengths in front of a fast closing Taste of Paradise
(Conquistador Cielo) in third.
In addition to the two graded races, there was also one additional
stakes race contested at eight furlongs on the grass. A field of 10
three-year-old fillies went to the gate for the inaugural running of the Aladdin
Resort And Casino H. with Brooke’s Halo (Southern Halo) being sent off as the
favorite. The chestnut bounded out of the gate and led the field through stiff
early fractions of :22 1/5 and :45. Once they hit the stretch though, she began
to get leg weary. Long-shot SHE’S A JEWEL (Successful Appeal), who had been
laying between two to three lengths off the lead, moved up to take command and
dug in gamely late to hit the finish a neck in front. Conveyor’s Angel
(Conveyor) made a nice move up the rail late to cross the wire in second, a half-length in front of a very tired Brooke’s Halo in third.
There were five sprint races contested on the main track Sunday and horses on
or near the pace won three of them. In addition to the Pacific Classic, there
was one additional main track route today, which was won by a front runner. As
for the turf, there were three routes contested today and horses coming from off
the pace won two of them.
Victor Espinoza picked up two wins on the day to widen his advantage in the
jockey standings and now has 36 for the meet. Garrett Gomez only picked up one
win on the day but it was a big one as he was aboard Borrego for his victory in
the Classic. He has now booted home 32 winners.
Patrick Valenzuela returned from his suspension today and picked up a win
himself, giving him 26 to date. Corey Nakatani picked up three wins on the day
and has slowly been creeping into the thick of it in the standings over the last
few days with 23 winners for the meet.
There was very little change at the very top of the trainer standings as Bob
Baffert and Jeff Mullins went winless on the day to remain in a tie for the top
spot with 14 winners each. Doug O’Neill picked up a win on the day to move
within one of the top pair.
Pick 6 players get ready because no one connected on all six winners in the
$1-guaranteed Pick 6 pool on Sunday, generating a carryover pool of $648,442
going into Monday’s card.
Horses to Watch
3RD – BOB AND JOHN (Seeking The Gold) was a little slow getting out of the
gate and didn’t seem to really have his mind on business through the early
stages of this two-year-old maiden special event. Once the field hit the
stretch, the dark bay seemed to finally get into the race and closed with a nice
turn of foot but it was too little too late as he hit the finish line in fourth.
4TH – Imperialism looked very good in the Pat O’Brien and could prove to be a
threat next out as well whether he is going short or long.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Monday, August 22
Monday’s 2ND race is an eight-furlong optional claiming event for
three-year-olds and up contested on the grass. A field of five is scheduled to
go to the post for the event headed by Grade 2 stakes winner ST AVERIL (Saint
Ballado), who will be trying the lawn for the first time in his career. The dark
bay has a respectable pedigree for the lawn but whether this will provide any
dramatic improvement in his recent form remains to be seen.
Another in the field who will be trying the grass for the first time is the
Mullins-trained TOUCH THE WIRE (Birdonthewire). An initial look at the pedigree
reveals that the horse does not have an overwhelming grass influence but his
trainer is a solid 18 percent in the “1st On Grass” category so maybe he sees
something in the morning that the pedigree doesn’t show.
Monday’s forecast calls for mainly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper
70s.
Monday’s Best Plays
3RD – SWISS SONATA (Swiss Yodeler) appears to be one tough customer in this
state-bred maiden claiming event. The two-year-old colt has been competitive at
the special weight level and he has an advantage of over 13 points in the BRIS
Prime Power category. The chestnut’s BRIS Speed ratings tower over the field and
his BRIS Pace ratings indicate that he should be on or near the lead early with
plenty of kick left at the end to hit the wire in front. The one concern with
Swiss Sonata is that he shows no published works since his last start but the
last time trainer Mike Harrington did this with the colt, he finished second
against open company and ahead of the very talented Bashert (Tiger Ridge) who
came in third in that affair.
4TH – ROYAL FUPEG (Fusaichi Pegasus) is a $700,000 purchase who will be
trying the lawn for the first time and her pedigree says she should love it.
Fusaichi Pegasus is a 16 percent sire when his offspring try the turf for the
first time and the dam sire, Royal Academy, hits a respectable 12 percent of the
time when his progeny first try the lawn. Trainer Eoin Harty wins 15 percent of
the time in the “1st On Grass” category and is 18 percent in the “1st At Route”
category. Gomez has the call on the mount only adding to the positives.