Del Mar Weekly Recap (Aug 17-21)
Wednesday, August 17
Fast main track and firm turf course. One wire-to-wire winner in the 5.5f opener on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five furlongs, a stalker at 8.5f, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Two turf wins for jockey Jamie Theriot.
Tara's Tango returned from a vacation and turned back in distance to take the G3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for Martin Garcia and Jerry Hollendorfer. She will probably return to the route game in the near future.
Thursday, August 18
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and a stalker at eleven furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato teamed up for two turf wins.
Friday, August 19
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners at 5.5f on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 8.5f, a patient midpack runner at one mile, and a stalker at eleven furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Rafael Bejarano and Iggy Puglisi both booted home a pair.
Frenzified enjoyed the eleven furlong turf jouney and picked up her first US win in the CTT and TOC Handicap. Santiago Gonzalez rode the winner for James Cassidy.
Saturday, August 20
Fast main track and firm turf course. California Chrome was the only wire-to-wire main track winner on Pacific Classic Day. The winning turf course running styles were a last-to-first closer at 8.5f, a patient runner at 9f, a forwardly placed runner at 11f, and a patient runner at a flat mile.
Martin Garcia and Gary Stevens both booted home a pair.
The highly anticipated Pacific Classic was over as soon as they broke from the gate. For some inexplicable reason, the competition, notably Dortmund and Beholder, let California Chrome coast along on an uncontested lead through moderate splits and the outcome was eerily similar to Game On Dude's Pacific Classic romp in 2013.
The no passing zone signs were out in full force as Beholder chased throughout in second with Dortmund (3rd), Hoppertunity (4th), Dalmore (5th), and Imperative (6th) all basically running in place from start to finish.
Come on guys, at least make Chrome break a sweat and work hard for the money like Luis Saez and Go Maggie Go did in the Alabama. Saez went right after Songbird from the start and made her earn the win and she did just that but at least it was a horse race instead of a coronation.
My top choices suffered tough losses in the other two stakes races. Stays in Vegas appeared home free in the Del Mar Oaks but Harmonize and Decked Out both nipped her in the very late stages.
In the Del Mar Handicap, Ashleyluvssugar had a clear lead and held off my charging top Metaboss to win by a desperate nose. Gary Stevens stole this one and the beats do not come tougher than this!
Sunday, August 21
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to--wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a stalker at 8.5 furlongs, and patient runner at five furlongs.
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Two wins for Stewart Elliott. Phil D'Amato and Chris Hartman both saddled two winners.
Midnight Storm is fast and sharp and went all the way in the G2 Del Mar Mile, holding off Om by a 1/2 length and earning a 106 BSF. The latter ran a big race off the bench and the top two were well clear of show finisher Ohio.
TRAVERS 2016 VIDEO ANALYSIS
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