|
|
Big John B rolls in Del Mar 'Cap One week after Hardest Core won the Arlington Million, another son of Hard Spun locked up a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf -- Big John B, who turned Saturday's Grade 2, $201,250 Del Mar Handicap into a rout. Bet down to 8-5 favoritism off a 7 1/4-length victory over this Del Mar course and 1 3/8-mile trip, the former claimer aced his stakes debut and remained perfect in three starts in the Michael House silks. The Del Mar 'Cap field was reduced by three scratches -- Quick Casablanca, who underwent emergency surgery for colic, according to Vamos a la Hipica, and the Pacific Classic-bound duo of Irish Surf and Ice Cream Truck. Big John B was claimed for $50,000 out of a last-of-five effort at Keeneland in April. In his first start for his new owner and trainer Mike Stidham, he was awarded the victory via disqualification in a $40,000 claimer at Churchill Downs May 26. Big John B was then transferred out west to Philip D'Amato and stepped up markedly in trip. The five-year-old gelding rallied from the tail of the field to take a 1 1/4-mile starter handicap at Santa Anita June 20, and last time out here on July 30, he went last to first in his runaway allowance/optional claiming score (where he was not entered for a tag). With Hall of Famer Mike Smith back aboard, Big John B once again benefited from patient handling in the early going of the Del Mar 'Cap. The pace scenario was in flux as Si Sage surprisingly found himself in the lead on the first of three turns, then readily deferred to Cogito through an opening quarter in :23 3/5 on the firm turf. The 7-2 Bright Thought, a new stablemate of Big John B's from the D'Amato barn, also showed more of his trademark early foot and prompted the leader. But Unbridled Command moved up on their first run past the wire, and in concert with Bright Thought, pressed Cogito through a half-mile in :47 3/5 and put his head in front at the six-furlong mark in 1:11 2/5. As the field advanced down the backstretch, Unbridled Command took sole command and opened up through a mile in 1:35 3/5. Big John B had likewise been improving his position, and surged into a threatening second on the final turn. Blowing past Unbridled Command into the stretch, he extended his advantage to 5 1/4 lengths and negotiated 1 3/8 miles in 2:12 4/5. Bench Light, another former claimer who was coming off a big allowance/optional claiming win at the course and distance, got up to edge Bright Thought for second and just deny the D'Amato exacta. Starspangled Heat checked in fourth, followed by Unbridled Command; Poshsky; Si Sage; 7-2 morning-line favorite Fire With Fire, who went off as the third choice at 4-1; the filly Topic, who lost any chance when her saddle slipped; and the tailed-off Cogito. Big John B paid $5.20 to win and upped his own mark to 28-11-5-3, $458,805. Bred by Brylynn Farm in Florida, the dark bay sold for $30,000 as a two-year-old in training at OBS June. Big John B started out with trainer Mike Maker, breaking his maiden in his ninth attempt in a $65,000 maiden claimer at Belmont in June 2012. He was haltered that day by Repole Stable and joined Todd Pletcher, but didn't race for those connections until the following winter at Gulfstream. Big John B captured his second start off the bench, but was again claimed for $30,000, and this time went to trainer Bobby Dibona. He continued to be popular at the claiming level, going to Jason Servis for $32,000 at Monmouth last September, to Michael Trombetta for $25,000 at Gulfstream on January 11, and to Michael Tomlinson for $35,000 at the same venue on March 9. House and Stidham snapped him up after his lone outing for Tomlinson. Out of the multiple Grade 3-placed stakes heroine Baldomera, a Doneraile Court mare, Big John B is a half-brother to 2012 Bashford Manor winner Circle Unbroken. He descends from the same family as ill-fated champion filly Landaluce; Grade 1 turf stars Harmonious and Startac; and at a more distant remove, turf champions Theatrical and Paradise Creek. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
