DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2007
by Brian P. Turner
Friday’s featured stakes offering was the El Cajon S. for three-year-olds
going eight furlongs over the Polytrack. The event was split into two divisions
with the first coming in the fourth as a field of nine went to the gate. Cobalt
Blue (Golden Missile) was sent to the post as the slight favorite despite the
fact that he last visited the winner’s circle back in March when he led from
gate to wire to take the victory in the San Felipe S. (G2) by two lengths.
Though the chestnut had not tasted victory in his three starts since, the
betting public obviously felt that this was a good spot to turn things around.
When the gates sprang open, Spot The Diplomat (Worldly Manner) went to the
lead with RUSH WITH THUNDER (Tribal Rule) content to press him through early
fractions of :24 3/5 and :50 1/5. Once they came off the final turn, Rush With
Thunder took command and continued on determinedly through the stretch drive to
hit the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in front.
Rush with Thunder made a lot of sense in this wide open affair as he had
reeled off three wins in a row prior to this start for the current Del Mar meet.
The dark bay began the meet with a victory in a $20,000 claiming event and
gradually made his way up the class ladder to this event today in which he
picked up his first stakes victory.
Frank the Barber (Malibu Moon) finished with good energy through the stretch
drive to cross the finish line in second, 3 3/4 lengths in front of I’m All Out
(Include) in third. Favored Cobalt Blue attempted to make a move going into the
final turn but eventually faded to finish next to last.
The second division of the El Cajon came in the seventh and a field of eight
contested the event. Noble Court (Doneraile Court) was sent to the gate as the
heavy favorite off of his performance against allowance/optional claiming
company here last out in which he rallied from seven lengths off the early lead
and closed well through the stretch to hit the finish line three lengths in
front. The bay had never been off the board in six career starts which included
a victory in the San Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita back in February.
When the gates opened, Bad Boy bounded out onto the lead and guided the field
through opening fractions of :24 2/5 and :49 1/5 before widening his advantage
approaching the final turn as he attempted to steal the victory on the lead.
LATIN RHYTHMS (King Cugat) closed ground on the turn though and wrestled away
the lead in the stretch drive on his way to a solid 1 3/4-length victory.
The bay was coming off of a very nice third place finish in the La Jolla H.
(G2) here on August 11 in which he attempted to lead the field from gate to wire
only to come up 1 1/2 lengths short in the end. Prior to that effort, the colt
had two attempts over the synthetic strip at Hollywood and had won both of them.
Latin Rhythms was obviously able to carry that form to the Polytrack as he was
extremely impressive here.
Bad Boy put in a very game performance and held on late to cross the finish
line in second, a head in front of Daytona (Ire) (Indian Ridge) in third. Noble
Court rallied from well off the early pace but could do no better than fifth.
In addition to the two divisions of the El Cajon, there was one other route
on the day which was won in gate to wire fashion. As for the two Polytrack
sprints, horses on or near the pace won both of these. There were two turf
routes and one turf sprint contested on the day with front runners winning the
sprint and one of the routes.
Michael Baze was unable to add to his total today but still leads the way in
the jockey standings with 44 for the meet. Joseph Talamo went winless as well
and remains in second with 32. Victor Espinoza rode a winner and remains in
third with 28.
Doug O’Neill went winless today but still leads the way in the trainer
standings with 21 for the meet. Jeff Mullins lone runner got his picture taken
today and the conditioner remains in second with 18. Mike Mitchell saddled two
winners today which moves him into third with 12 for the meet.
Horses to Watch
1ST – BERESFORD (Touch Gold) found the stretch out to a route to be exactly
what he needed to get him into the winner’s circle in this eight furlong maiden
special weight event. The two-year-old colt vied for the lead early through
opening fractions of :23 4/5 and :48 3/5 before opening up on the field in the
stretch drive and cruising to the wire for an easy seven length victory.
4TH – Rush With Thunder is definitely a horse for the course after reeling
off his fourth win in a row over the Del Mar Polytrack. The dark bay has looked
like an entirely different animal since moving off the turf and onto the
synthetic surface.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Saturday, September 1
A field of 10 is set to go to the gate for Saturday’s featured Palomar H.
(G2) for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/16 miles over the
Jimmy Durante Turf Course. PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) was extremely impressive
here last out in the John C. Mabee H. (G1) as she stalked a fast pace early on
her way to an impressive 1 1/2-length victory. The dark bay is as consistent as
they come, compiling a record of 11-4-5-1 on the grass and a record of
6-3-2-0 at the distance. Over the course of the current year, the four-year-old
filly has competed at five separate tracks and never ran worse than second at
any of them. Expect Precious Kitten to once more be stalking the pace today and,
as there appears to be no member of the field who will be out setting early
taxing fractions, to have plenty left in the tank at the end for the run to the
wire.
BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) had a very nice North American debut
here at Del Mar in which she rallied from just off the pace for an easy 2 1/2-length victory against allowance company. While there was nothing earth
shattering about the 91 BRIS Speed rating she posted in doing so, what was
impressive was the ease with which she accomplished her victory. The bay closed
through the stretch with an ultra impressive late turn of foot and still
appeared to have plenty left in the tank when she hit the finish line. PRICE TAG
(GB) (Dansili [GB]) will be making her first start since finishing third just a
head behind
Precious Kitten in the CashCall Mile Invitational S. (G2) at Hollywood in early
July. Prior to that, the bay finished a very close second in the Gamely
Breeders’ Cup S. (G1)
and has yet to finish out of the money in her four starts since coming to North
America, including a victory in the Matriarch S. (G1) last November.
KRIS’ SIS (Forestry) is coming off a game victory here in the Osunitas H.
in which she pressed the pace early before digging in determinedly late to hit
the finish line a length in front. The dark bay has compiled a record of 5-3-0-1
on the lawn and is a perfect two-for-two here at Del Mar. DREAM’S (Chi) (Sam M.)
will be making her first start since being moved up from third to second via
disqualification in the Tuzla H. at Santa Anita back in January. The chestnut
has been working steadily for her return to the track and has yet to be beaten
in three starts over the Del Mar turf.
CLINET (Ire) (Docksider) has yet to really get on track since arriving in
North America. Though the bay is capable of some nice efforts on occasion,
consistency is her biggest issue. Still, with her best effort, she could hit the
board here. ANDREA (NZ) (Danasinga) is coming off a lackluster effort
here against allowance/optional claiming company in which she vied for the lead
early on to weaken late to finish sixth. Prior to that though, the chestnut
finished only 2 3/4 lengths behind Precious Kitten in the John C. Mabee.
SHERMEEN (Ire) (Desert Style) is coming off a determined victory in the
Luther Burbank H. on the turf at Santa Rosa in which she stalked the pace early
before digging in gamely late to hit the finish line a nose in front. The bay
would need a career best to share here. I CAN SEE (Flying Chevron) is coming off
a nice win against allowance/optional claiming company but will need to move
forward off that effort to have an impact here.
BRANCA COMO NEVE (Brz) (Ski Champ) finished only a nose and a head behind I Can See last
out but she does her best running on or near the lead and she is not as fast as
the best of these.
Saturday’s Best Plays
1ST – I’MAGAMBLER (Slewledo) will be looking for his third win of the meet in
this claiming event while making his first start for trainer Peter Miller. After
putting in a lackluster effort in his debut over the Del Mar Polytrack, the
gelding returned to win by 4 1/4 lengths at the same level before winning by
three lengths last out. The dark bay tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and is
near the top of the field in BRIS Class rating. I’magambler will be taking a bit
of a class jump for his new connections but a repeat of the BRIS Speed rating
earned in his last start should be enough to get him into the winner’s circle
here.
3RD – MEZUAH (Mazel Trick) comes from the “Horses to Watch” list after
encountering trouble in each of her two starts over the Del Mar grass. In her
latest effort, the four-year-old filly was forced to wait for room in the
stretch drive but once she found a way through, she closed with a tremendous
turn of foot only to come up three parts of a length short. The bay tops the
field in BRIS Prime Power by more than 11 points and her BRIS Class rating leads the
way as well. It appears that all Mezuah will need to get her picture taken is a
repeat of her last performance coupled with a clean trip.