DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2006
by Brian P. Turner
A field of seven, including one coupled entry, went to the gate for
Saturday’s Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Mile (G2) for three-year-olds and up going
eight furlongs on the lawn. ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) entered the event
trying to reel off his third graded stakes victory in a row and the betting
public obviously loved his chances as they sent him to the gate the overwhelming
favorite. It was understandable, as the chestnut had already easily handled the
best of this bunch last out when he crossed the finish line four lengths clear
of his nearest rival in the Eddie Read H. (G1) here on July 23 while setting a
new course record.
When the gates sprang open, Wild Buddy (Line in the Sand) bounded out of the
gate and onto the lead with Sweet Return (GB) (Elmaamul) in close pursuit while
Aragorn was content to lay off the pace on the rail in third. The trio
maintained those positions through opening fractions of :23 1/5 and :46 3/5.
Once the field hit the stretch, Corey Nakatani saw a hole open on the rail and
sent Aragorn through. From there, the race was over as the chestnut unleashed an
explosive kick that propelled him to the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in front with
Nakatani gearing him down before he reached the wire.
Longshot Wild Buddy put in a tremendous effort and held on to cross the wire
in second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Hendrix (Sultry Song) in third
There were a total of eight sprints, and no routes, contested on the main
track today with horses on or near the pace winning seven of them. In addition
to the feature, there was one other turf route which was won by a runner closing
from off the pace.
Victor Espinoza was unable to add to his total today but continues to
dominate the jockey standings with 46 for the meet. Martin Garcia added two to
his total and is in second with 34. In addition to his victory in the Del Mar
Breeders’ Cup Mile, Nakatani added one other winner to his total to take
possession of the third spot with 26.
Doug O’Neill was unable to add to his total today but remains atop the
trainer standings with 16. Jeff Mullins didn’t have a winner either today and
remains in second with 13. After winning two yesterday, John Sadler added one
more to his total today to solidify his hold on the third spot with 11.
Horses to Watch
1ST – KATISPSUBLUE (Comic Strip) had a very nice career debut for trainer
Craig Dollase. The two-year-old filly pressed the pace through an opening
quarter that went in :22 1/5 in this 5 1/2 furlong Cal-bred maiden special
weight event. The dark bay moved up to take the lead on the turn and quickly
left the rest of the field behind as she opened up through the stretch drive to
hit the finish line seven lengths in front under little more than a hand ride.
3RD – LAINIES LION (Lord Carson) was impressive while making the “turf to
dirt” move for trainer Thomas Bell in this six furlong state-bred maiden special
weight event. The three-year-old colt was content to lay well off the pace
through opening fractions of :22 and :46 3/5 before closing ground on the
leaders just before the turn. Once the field entered the stretch, the dark bay
was forced to come five wide but had plenty left in the tank to take over the
lead and pulled clear through the stretch to hit the finish line three lengths
in front under nothing but a hand ride.
8TH – Aragorn is in tremendous form right now and will undoubtedly be one of
the favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Sunday, August 27
A field of 10 is scheduled to go to the gate for Sunday’s Del Mar H. (G2) for
three-year-olds and up going 11 furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. T.
H. APPROVAL (With Approval) will be looking for his second graded stakes victory
in a row after rallying from 12 lengths off the early pace to take the victory
last out in the Sunset Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at Hollywood. In five starts
against graded company this year, the gray has compiled a record of 2-2-0, with
the lone blemish coming in the Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) where he
finished seventh, 5 3/4 lengths behind winner Lava Man (Slew City Slew). T. H.
Approval has been in good form all year and definitely looms a threat with his
best.
ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) came up only four lengths short in the
Whittingham before traveling east to finish third, beaten again by four lengths,
in the Arlington H. (G3). The bay put in some very solid efforts against some
pretty decent company in Europe but has just not been able to find the winner’s
circle since coming to North America. Still, the five-year-old horse has been
showing improvement and could be sitting on a top effort. QUINQUIN THE KING (Fr)
(Take Risks) will be making his first start since finishing third behind T. H.
Approval in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) at Santa Anita back in
April. The gray has been working well for his return to active competition and
could definitely have a say in the outcome if he is ready to go after the
vacation.
RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) will be returning to graded company after his
nice victory here last out in the Escondido H., where he rallied from off the
pace for a solid 2 1/2-length victory. Though the gelding finished 6 3/4 lengths
behind T. H. Approval in the Sunset two back, Runaway Dancer loves the Del Mar
lawn, as his record of 4-3-0-0 will stand testament. SUPER STRUT (Lil Tyler) has
been running well in stakes-company against fellow Cal-breds and was charging
hard late last out to miss by three parts of a length in the California Dreamin’
H. here on August 4. The dark bay could definitely crash the board with his best
effort.
MIGHTY MYSTERIOUS (Mystery Storm) performed respectably last out in his first
try against graded company in the Sunset as he finished fifth, beaten by five
lengths. The former bottom level claimer has shown vast improvement since moving
to the lawn, but will need to improve even more to have an impact here. SYMPHONY
SID (Unbridled) will be making the jump from claiming company to stakes company
in his first start for trainer Mike Mitchell. While the conditioner is always
dangerous off the claim, the chestnut appears to be overmatched.
CHEROOT (Smokester) attempted to lead the field from gate to wire last out in
the aforementioned California Dreamin’ only to tire late to finish fifth, beaten
by 2 1/2 lengths. Though the dark bay possesses a nice early turn of foot, it is
hard to imagine him lasting against these. PARAQUEDISTA (Brz) (Music Prospector)
has put in a couple of nice efforts against claiming company on the grass as of
late, but this group is much tougher than any he has faced before. INDIANTOWN
JONES (Green Dancer) has shipped in from Colonial Downs for this event but,
given his current form, it is hard to imagine why.
Sunday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s.
Sunday’s Best Plays
3RD – TWICE AS BAD (Stormy Atlantic) will be making his first start for
trainer Mullins after missing by only a neck at this level in his last start.
The gray vied for the lead throughout in that claiming event and almost pulled
off the victory. A look at the BRIS Pace ratings indicate that the five-year-old
horse should have things a little easier on the lead today, which will allow
jockey Juan Ochoa to save a little extra something in the tank for the run to
the finish line. Twice as Bad has an advantage of more than four points in the
BRIS Prime Power category and also has the advantage in BRIS Class rating. Toss
in the fact that Mullins wins 35 percent of his starts in the “1st After Claim”
trainer category and there is a lot to like.
8TH – T. H. Approval should be tough in the Del Mar H. The gray has a close
to 10 point advantage in BRIS Prime Power and also has the advantage in BRIS
Class rating. There appears to be plenty of pace in the race to set up his late
kick but the presence of Alex Solis in the irons insures that he will be
well-placed regardless of the pace scenario unfolding in front of him. Anything
resembling a repeat of his recent efforts should land him in the winner’s
circle.