DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2006
by Brian P. Turner
A field of six, including one coupled entry, went to the gate for Thursday’s
7TH race, an allowance/optional claiming event for three-year-olds and up going
1 1/16 miles on the main track. Gallardo (Running Stag) was sent off as the
overwhelming favorite in his first start for trainer Mike Mitchell. The chestnut
was claimed out of his last start where he absolutely demolished a field of
claiming horses by 4 1/4 lengths.
When the gates sprang open, the coupled entry of Dr. Einstein (Albert the
Great) and Passive Income (High Yield) bounded onto the early lead with Gallardo
in hot pursuit. Dr. Einstein eventually moved out by himself and guided the
field through opening fractions of :23 2/5 and :47 2/5. Once the field hit the
stretch, the dark bay began to tire and REFINERY (Victory Gallop) snuck through
on the rail and dug in determinedly late to hold off the late challenge of
Passive Income to hit the finish line a head in front.
Refinery was rebounding here from a sixth-place effort last out sprinting
where he was beaten by six lengths. The bay improved dramatically for this one
and was extremely game through a tough stretch drive for a very solid victory.
It was another two lengths back to Devil’s Bay (Devil His Due) in third with
Gallardo finishing two more lengths back in fourth.
There were four sprints contested on the main track Thursday with horses on
or near the pace winning all of them. In addition to the 7TH, there was one
additional route which was won by a runner closely stalking the pace. As for the
two turf routes, one was won by a horse near the pace while the other was won by
a closer.
Victor Espinoza added three to his total and still leads the way in the
jockey standings with 45 for the meet. Martin Garcia added one to his total and
remains in second with 31. Alex Solis didn’t ride today but remains in third
with 25.
Doug O’Neill saddled no winners today but still leads the way in the trainer
standings with 16 for the meet. Jeff Mullins went winless as well but remains in
second with 12 followed by Mike Mitchell in third with nine.
Pick Six players get ready because no one pieced together all six winners on
the day, leaving a carryover of $146,978 for Friday’s card.
Horses to Watch
2ND – GLASSY (Run Softly) reverted back to form in this 1 1/16-mile turf
claiming event after throwing in a sub par effort here on July 27, where she
finished sixth, beaten by 5 1/2 lengths. In this event, the dark bay pressed the
pace through early fractions of :24 and :45 2/5 before taking the lead at the
top of the stretch and easily cruising home to a 1 1/2-length victory.
4TH – SIGNORETTO SIG (Signoretto [Fr]) seemed to finally figure out what he
was supposed to be doing on the track about midway through this seven-furlong
maiden claiming event. The bay was content to lay well off the pace through
opening fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 2/5. Once he hit the stretch though, the
three-year-old gelding closed with a tremendous turn of foot to miss by a head
at the wire. Signoretto Sig looms a serious threat to get over the hump in his
next start provided he returns against similar.
6TH – ENTOURAGE (A.P. Indy) was the victim of a horrible trip in this
eight-furlong maiden special weight event on the grass. The two-year-old colt
lay well off the pace through opening fractions of :22 2/5 and :46 2/5 but, once
he hit the stretch, he found himself trapped on the rail. Once a hole finally
did open, the chestnut closed with an absolutely explosive turn of foot but it
was too little too late as he was forced to settle for third, beaten by 2 1/4
lengths.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Friday, August 25
A field of nine, including one coupled entry, is set to contest the CTT and
Thoroughbred Owners of California H. for fillies and mares, three-years-old and
upward, going 11 furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. MEMORETTE (Memo
[Chi]) will be taking a big class drop from graded stakes company to compete in
this event. The dark bay missed by only a length last out in the John C. Mabee
H. (G1) here on July 22. Prior to that, the dark bay pulled off a game three
parts of a length victory in the Beverly Hills H. (G2). Given how well she has
been running against better, she may be tough to beat here.
The coupled entry of AUBONNE (Ger) (Monsun) and TAHTHEEB (Ire) (Muhtarram)
appear to have the best chance of pulling off the upset should Memorette falter.
Aubonne is coming off a second-place effort in the Escondido H. here in early
August and has put in some nice efforts against some solid stakes competition in
the past. Tahteeb posted a very nice BRIS Speed rating last out while claiming
the victory against optional claiming company here two weeks ago.
LATE DATE (High Yield) has yet to finish off the board since moving to the
lawn and picked up her first victory over the surface here last out while
closing from well off the pace.
Friday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s.
Friday’s Best Plays
2ND – ADANCE (Fabulous Champ) should be tough to beat in this Cal-bred
allowance/optional claiming affair. The gray missed by only a half-length last
out while attempting to lead the field from gate to wire, and will be reuniting
here with jockey Espinoza, who guided her to the winner’s circle in her two
starts prior. The four-year-old filly’s BRIS Speed ratings tower over the field
and she has a nearly six point advantage in BRIS Prime Power while also having
the best BRIS Class rating. A look at her BRIS Pace ratings indicate that she
should be on or near the lead early and still have plenty left at the end for
the run to the finish line.
7TH – Memorette has found a very nice spot to try to tack on another stakes
victory. The dark bay tops the field by more than 14 points in BRIS Prime Power
and also has a solid advantage in BRIS Class rating. Memorette should be a
little off the pace early and then have no trouble mowing them down through the
stretch drive.