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Arravale arrives in style at Del Mar Going into Saturday's $400,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1), trainer Macdonald Benson was confident that Robert J. Costigan's ARRAVALE (Arch) would move forward off her third in the American Oaks Invitational S. (G1) last time out, and his dark bay pupil promptly proved him correct. Finishing with a flourish to capture the 1 1/8-mile prize by 1 1/2 lengths, the Canadian invader capped a big day for her sire, Arch, who was also responsible for Saturday's Alabama S. (G1) winner, Pine Island. In the early stages, Arravale settled beautifully for jockey Jose Valdivia Jr., loping along comfortably just about in midpack while hugging the rail. On the front end, Meetmeinthewoods (General Meeting) was dictating affairs through fractions of :23 1/5, :48 and 1:12 3/5, closely monitored by Sol Mi Fa (Ire) (Distant Music), with 5-2 favorite Attima (GB) (Zafonic) an increasingly tugging third. By the time Attima ranged up to challenge for the lead leaving the far turn, Valdivia had peeled Arravale off the rail and swung her out to dog Attima's heels into the stretch. As soon as the fillies straightened out in the lane, Attima put her head in front but was clearly not doing enough to take charge of the race, while Arravale was only just beginning to wind up. With her stride visibly lengthening, Arravale strode right away from the field, flashing past the wire in a time of 1:48 on the firm turf. The rest finished in a tight bunch. Take the Ribbon (Chester House) closed well for second, a head in front of Foxysox (GB) (Foxhound), who in turn had three-quarters of a length to spare over Soothsay (Ire) (Mujadil). That order of finish didn't hold up for long, however, as the stewards quickly posted the inquiry sign and ultimately disqualified Take the Ribbon for tightening up Soothsay in the stretch drive. Foxysox was promoted to second, Soothsay was elevated to third, and Take the Ribbon was demoted to fourth. Dispatched as the 3-1 second choice, Arravale returned $8.60. $4.60 and $3.20. The 4-1 Foxysox gave back $5 and $3.80, while Soothsay furnished $6.40 to show at odds of nearly 16-1. The $1 exotics were worth $20.80 (exacta), $248.40 (trifecta) and $1,597.70 (5-4-9-6 superfecta). Next came a fading Attima, May Night (Gulch), Sol Mi Fa, Charming N Lovable (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), Meetmeinthewoods and Secret Scheme (Precocity). Indy Miss (A.P. Indy) was scratched. Arravale's scorecard now reads 6-4-0-1, and her bankroll has increased to $502,752. After landing the Natalma S. (Can-G3) on the turf as a juvenile, she attempted the dirt in the Mazarine Breeders' Cup S. (G3) and suffered her worst loss when unplaced. Since then, Arravale has stayed on the lawn. She captured the 6 1/2-furlong Alywow S. in her sophomore debut, a race that probably didn't tune her up sufficiently for the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks, but she was razor-sharp at Del Mar. Bred by W. Bruce Lunsford in Kentucky, the winner was sold for $190,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Arravale is out of the Grade 2-placed Kalosca (Fr) (Kaldoun), who has since produced an unnamed yearling colt by Vision and Verse and a 2006 filly by Dynaformer. This is the family of Group 1 winner and sire Piccolo (Warning [GB]), 1993 Swiss Horse of the Year Mykonos (Gay Mecene), 1994 German highweight Favourite Prince (Prince Rupert), French stakes winner and multiple Group 2-placed Crillon (Saumarez [GB]), as well as several quality performers in the Antipodes, including 2006 Australian Group 3 winner Casino Prince (Flying Spur).
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