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DEL MAR NOTEBOOK AUGUST 26, 2010 by John Mucciolo One of the top three-year-old fillies in the nation strutted her stuff on Saturday. Del Mar Oaks (G1): Tom and Marilyn Braly's EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) gained the lead inside the final furlong and held sway late in securing a half-length score in this turf fray for conditioner James Cassidy. The ultra-talented sophomore got nine grassy panels in 1:47 1/5 under the guidance of Victor Espinoza. Rancho Bernardo H. (G3): Legacy Ranch et al's SWEET AUGUST MOON (Malibu Moon) took a short lead in midstretch and fought off a stubborn foe en route to a three-quarters of a length tally in this one for conditioner Brian Koriner. Piloted by Espinoza, the five-year-old mare finished off 6 1/2 Polytrack furlongs in 1:16 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 43 races held over the coastal racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 37 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Polytrack oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while three of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent). Wednesday yielded four winners from six main-track events breaking from the rail, yet only three others won from the innermost post over the final 26 Polytrack events. Horses that broke from wider than post six captured only two races from the 32 on the main strip, yet winners often traveled wide in the lane to propel to victory. Of the three turf wire jobs over the week, two came in five-furlong turf dashes. While only four runners led at every call on the Poly, many of the first-placers were very close early. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (8/18) 4TH -- WINNING DESIRE (The Daddy) put in a professional run at first asking in here for conditioner Robert Hess Jr. The gelded juvenile rallied strongly along the rail and won the duel with the 4-5 choice late in posting a fine win beneath David Flores. 6TH -- QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite) almost pulled off a big upset in here while falling just short for trainer Doug O'Neill. The overachieving gelding could have been the winner if he didn't incur traffic issues late. Thursday (8/19) 2ND -- Mike Mitchell's SQUEEZE ME TIGHT (Golden Missile) didn't get claimed out of this one, but maybe the seven-year-old should have following a dominant win under Rafael Bejarano. The chestnut mare will be a huge factor next out versus anything similar to these foes. 8TH -- THE PHENOM (Da Stoops) is not living up to his name, but the juvenile colt should graduate soon with a similar performance to this one. Claimed by Mitchell, the runner-up is on our radar. Friday (8/20) 3RD -- COME HOME LADY (Came Home) not only won this race with authority, but the sophomore lass was the only runner near the early pace to finish in the top four in here, telling us this was a quality victory. Trainer Mike Puype could have an improving sort of stakes quality. Saturday (8/21) 6TH -- Sent off at even-money in his debut, INDIAN WINTER (Indian Charlie) lived up to the hype with a game win for Jerry Hollendorfer. The well-meant dark bay juvenile could be a good one. JAYCITO (Victory Gallop) finished 5 3/4-lengths clear of the third-place finisher in here, and since we like the winner, we have to play this one back in his return for Mitchell. 9TH -- Evening Jewel is very good, and is clearly in the mix for championship honors at the end of this season if she continues her ascension. The sophomore has run superbly at the highest level on synthetic, dirt and turf ovals for Cassidy. Sunday (8/22) 1ST -- MAY DAY ROSE (Rockport Harbor) was one of many second-place finishers for Bob Baffert during the week, but we fully expect this well-backed filly to get the job done very soon. A Look Ahead Saturday's $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), the meet's marquee race, leads a big weekend at Del Mar. Also on Saturday are the $300,000 Pat O' Brien S. (G1) and $250,000 Del Mar Mile (G2), while Sunday plays host to the $200,000 Del Mar H. (G2).
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