DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006
by Brian P. Turner
A field of nine, including one coupled entry, went to the gate for Monday’s
7TH race, an allowance event for three-year-olds and up going eight furlongs
over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. COURTNALL (Cherokee Run) was sent to the
gate as the favorite after missing by only a nose at this level last out. The
dark bay rewarded his backers with a visually impressive performance. The
five-year-old gelding was content to lay well off the pace early through testing
opening fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 4/5 but as the field approached the final
turn, Courtnall began to close ground on the pacesetters and finished with a
tremendous turn of foot through the stretch to cross the finish line three
lengths in front.
Victory Voodoo (Victory Gallop) vied for the lead throughout and put in an
extremely game performance to hit the wire in second, a half-length clear of a
fast closing Boboman (Kingmambo) in third.
There were five sprints contested on the main track Monday with horses on or
near the pace winning three of them, while the lone dirt route was won by a
runner closing from off the pace. In addition to the 7TH, there was one other
turf route which was won by a runner closing from off the pace.
Victor Espinoza has all but wrapped up the riding title. He went winless on
the day but still leads the way with 47 for the meet. Martin Garcia took off the
remainder of his mounts after being thrown from the saddle shortly after leaving
the gate in the 6TH, but he remains in second with 35. Corey Nakatani guided
home Courtnall in the 7TH to take sole possession of the third spot with 27.
Doug O’Neill was unable to add to his total today but still leads the way in
the trainer standings with 16 for the meet. Jeff Mullins went winless as well
but is still in second with 14. John Sadler’s lone starter did not get its
picture taken today and he remains in third with 11.
Horses to Watch
3RD – OUTLAW JONES (Old Trieste) put in a very nice effort in his first
attempt on the turf though he wasn’t quite able to make it into the winner’s
circle. The chestnut attempted to guide the field from gate to wire in this
eight-furlong claiming event as he vied for the lead through opening fractions
of :22 2/5 and :46 3/5. Once the field hit the stretch, the three-year-old
gelding dug in gamely but couldn’t quite hold on until the end and was forced to
settle for second, beaten by 1 1/2 lengths. A return against similar would make
him a threat.
4TH – SCHUSKY’S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) had a very nice career debut for trainer
Mike Harrington. Though the chestnut finished third, she was beaten by only
three parts of a length after fighting for the lead through opening fractions of
:22 and :46. With a race under her belt, the two-year-old filly could easily
make it into the winner’s circle in her next start, provided she returns against
similar.
Outlook for Wednesday, August 30
Wednesday’s feature is the Generous Portion S. for Cal-bred two-year-old
fillies going six furlongs on the main track. A field of eight is set to go to
the post, including five who are exiting the California Thoroughbred Breeders’
Association S. here on July 21. CES’T MARK (Benchmark) narrowly picked up the
victory in that event as she rallied from just off the pace to hit the wire a
neck in front. The bay has put in three nice solid maintenance works since and
is more than capable of repeating.
WON MORE PENNY (In Excess [Ire]) was the second-place finisher in that event
and has been showing improvement with each start since returning from a short
vacation back in June. If she takes another step forward here, she could
definitely turn the tables. LITTLE CITY (Swiss Yodeler) will be making her first
start since May when she broke her maiden against open company while posting a
very solid 101 BRIS Speed rating. The chestnut has been working steadily for her
return and looms a threat if ready after the vacation.
SHAROANA (Lord Carson) attempted to lead the field from gate to wire in the
California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association but tired late to finish third,
beaten by 1 3/4 lengths. If the dark bay is allowed to have things her own way
on the lead, she is definitely a danger. SWISS ROSE (Swiss Yodeler) was well bet
in that same event but finished fifth, beaten by 5 1/2 lengths. It wouldn’t be a
surprise if she turned the tables here.
HELLO BOLLY (Swiss Yodeler) will be returning to state-bred competition after
taking a shot against graded stakes company but will need to show more to have
an impact here. PRENUPTIAL (Broken Vow) and HIGH CHOLESTEROL (Until Sundown)
round out the field.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s.
Wednesday’s Best Plays
4TH – ATTACK ALERT (Souvenir Copy) will be making his first start since
winning at this same $10,000 claiming level at Hollywood back in early May. The
bay possesses a ton of early speed and, if ready after the layoff, should have
things his own way on the lead early which will leave him plenty in the tank for
the run to the finish line. The five-year-old horse tops the field in BRIS Prime
Power by more than eight points and also leads the way in BRIS Class rating. The
published works for his return have been few and far between but when it comes
to bottom level claiming horses, that isn’t always a bad thing.
6TH – SEA BATTLE (Seattle Bound) has looked good in each of his starts on the
grass. The bay is coming off a solid second-place effort where he finished well
late to miss by a nose at the wire against state-bred allowance/optional
claiming company. The BRIS Speed rating posted in that effort makes him
extremely competitive here and he is also near the top of the field in BRIS
Prime Power. The three-year-old gelding possesses a nice late turn of foot and
there should be plenty of pace to set him up here.