Good, drying out main track upgraded to fast by the eighth race. No turf races carded. There were five front running winners (8f, 6f, 8f, 6f, 6f).
Riding double for Rafael Bejarano.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $138,369, and nobody has all six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation payoff was $5,280.00. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $125,177 when live racing resumes Saturday, Nov. 30, and the single ticket jackpot carryover stands at $26,823.
Nov. 29 Claims: Race 2 - Aggressivity ($40k, John Sadler). Race 4 - Leroy ($32k, John Sadler). Race 8 - Top Brass ($40k, John Sadler). Race 9 - Mr. Unusual ($32k, John Sadler), Promise Nothing ($32k, Rafael Becerra).
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (11-30-19)
Fast main track and good turf course. The flat mile finale was transferred to the main track. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 5.5f, 8f). The turf course winners were a stalker at one mile, a patient runner at eleven furlongs, a patient midpack runner at 8.5 furlongs, and an inside stalker at a mile and an eighth.
Paco Lopez dominated the turf with a trio of graded victories on Saturday. Bob Hess Jr. saddled two winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $426,166, and one winner took down the entire pool including the single ticket jackpot. The Pick 6 haul was $428,459.40. There is a mandatory payout on Sunday, Dec. 1, but the single ticket winner on Saturday took the wind out of that bet to say the least.
Jimmy Durante (G3) Recap (11-30-19) - Winner: Alms ($7.40)
Laura’s Light went to the front and tried to pull off a 24-1 wire job upset, but Alms was always well placed just off the pace under Paco Lopez. The latter confronted the pacesetter and gradually pulled away to win by a bit less than three lengths. Laura’s Light held 2nd over heavy favorite Princesa Caroline, and Croughavouke was up for 4th. Applecross was 5th, followed by Overjoyed, A G Indy, Guitty, Homehome, Wise Rachel, and Seahawk Lisa.
Red Carpet Handicap (G3) Recap (11-30-19) - Winner: Zuzanna ($48.00)
The longshots dominated this graded turf route. Lostintranzlation set the pace as expected but could not keep up when the real running began. Strike At Dawn took a short lead after the early runner faded, but she could not stay the distance. Keeper Ofthe Stars stalked the pace, but the favorite could not handle the added ground. Zuzanna and Curlin’s Journey trailed for the first six furlongs or so, and the former moved first, and that was the key to victory. She won by a length and a half under Paco Lopez. Curlin’s Journey nipped Vibrance for the place, and Strike At Dawn was a nose behind those two in 4th. Tiny Tina, Keeper Ofthe Stars, and Lostintranzlation trailed.
Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) Recap (11-30-19) - Winner: Next Shares ($56.40)
Om got out there and controlled the pace, and remained in command turning for home. At that point, River Boyne and Next Shares were in attack mode, and the latter had the momentum and pulled off the upset by a 1/2 length. 3-2 favorite Sacred Life was grinding away late and edged River Boyne for the place. Majestic Eagle was an even 4th and Prince of Earl was a head behind him. Om weakened to 6th, followed by Andesh, Ritzy A. P., and Ronald R.
Hollywood Derby (G1) Recap (11-30-19) - Winner: Mo Forza ($7.60)
This race changed dramatically after expected pacesetter Kingly scratched. With no pace signed on, forwardly placed runners figured to dominate, and they did. Neptune’s Storm was the default front runner, and 5-2 favorite Mo Forza tracked from the rail under Paco Lopez. It was evident early on that one of those two would capture this race. Naptune’s Storm was still in front in the stretch, but Mo Forza was slowly wearing him down, and he edged clear to score by 3/4ths of a length. Neptune’s Storm held 2nd over late runner Standard Deviation, and his stablemate Digital Age was 4th. Succeedandsurpass ran an okay race from the outside post. He was wide throughout and worked his way up to 3rd in the stretch, but flattened out late and ended up 5th. Originaire was next, followed by Proud Pedro, Henley’s Joy, Nolde, Mr Dumas, Moody Jim, and Uncle Bull.
Nov. 30 Claims: Race 9 - Reedley ($16k, Reed Saldana).
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (12-1-19)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One dueling front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The turf course winners were three front runners at one mile, a last-to-first closer at a mile and a half, a patient midpack runner at one mile, and an outside dueling front runner at five panels.
Riding doubles for Geovanni Franco, John Velazquez, and Jorge Velez. Two wins for trainer Bob Hess Jr.
The closing day $2 Pick 6 pool was $301,976, and multiple winning tickets paid $65,295.60 each. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $265.80.
Cecil B. DeMille (G3) Recap (12-1-19) - Winner: Smooth Like Strait ($33.20)
Smooth Like Strait was handed a very easy lead from post 11, and it was game over. She just coasted along while well clear throughout, and crossed the line 2-1/2 lengths in front. Goliad gave futile chase and held 2nd over pace compromised late runners Last Opportunity and Hit the Road. Liar Liar was an even 5th, followed by Albert Park, Encoder, Go Time, Hariboux, Fore Left, Kanderel, Midnight Jostar, and War Beast.
Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) Recap (12-1-19) - Winner: Oscar Dominguez ($24.20)
Oscar Dominguez went last-to-first in this graded turf marathon. Zestful, Chosen Vessel, and Brown Storm ensured honest splits, and none of those runners were around at the finish. John Velazquez was very patient aboard the winner, and he out finished fellow closer and even money favorite United. The winning margin was a neck, and 23-1 longshot Ward ’n Jerry was another head back in 3rd. Cleopatra’s Strike made a move in the stretch but could not sustain his bid and ended up 4th. The mile and a half distance was his undoing. Aforementioned early runners Chosen Vessel and Brown Storm were next, and they were followed across the line by High Promise, Itsinthepost, Overdue, and Zestful. Overdue ran a decent race for the most part. He stalked outside and hung in there for quite some time before faltering late. He just dd not handle the distance.
Matriarch (G1) Recap (12-1-19) - Winner: Got Stormy ($4.80)
Got Stormy just has some much quality and class, and she was just too good for a pretty solid bunch of filly and mare turf runners. The pace was swift here with bombers Painting Corners, Storm the Hill, and Giza Goddess showing the way early. Juliet Foxtrot was behind those three in the catbird seat. Got Stormy was lurking in midpack and waiting to pounce under Tyler Gaffalione. Juliet Foxtrot made the first move and was briefly in front, but Got Stormy was traveling a bit better and surged to the lead in midstretch. She won by a bit less than a length. Daddy Is a Legend was on the move from last place and got past Juliet Foxtrot in late stretch to secure the runner-up spot. Toinette was best of the rest in 4th. Storm the Hill, Simply Breathless, Significant Form, Giza Goddess, Mucho Unusual, Lakerball, and Painting Corners also ran.
Dec. 1 Claims: Race 6 - Big Base ($12.5k, Jerry Hollendorfer), Tiz Toffee ($12.5k, Rosemary Trela).
Article by Jarrod Horak
