Celtic New Year celebrated in Del Mar 'Cap

The 9-2 third choice, Celtic New Year returned $11, $4.20 and $2.80. Bourbon Bay finished second with Imponente Purse third. Make Music

for Me,

Soul Candy and Medici Code (GB) (Medicean [GB]) rounded out the order of finish.

Celtic New Year was in good form in his previous three outings, finishing

third in the San Juan Capistrano H. (G2) at Santa Anita, second in the Charles

Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) at Hollywood, and most recently a third in the

Sunset H. (G3) also at Hollywood.

"We got him here in California and he just started to come around and got

better as the year went on," Sadler said. "We thought he was a good third in the

San Juan Capistrano and we thought he was a very good (second) in

the Whittingham. We were favored in the Sunset and he ran third, but he has

proven himself to be a very good horse in these distance races."

"I was down there inside and I thought I was going to get through," Espinoza

said. "I always think I'm going to get through. I did and this horse fired. He

has just been getting better. Every time I ride him he's better. I worked him a

mile the other day (August 22) and he felt great. I had a lot of confidence

today. I knew he was going to run big. And he did."

Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, Celtic New Year is out of the winning

Dynaformer mare

Reggae Queen, who is a half-sister to 2000 champion turf mare Perfect Sting (Red

Ransom). The

second dam is stakes winner Valid Victress (Valid Appeal), who is out of multiple stakes

winner Grecian Victory (Dr. Fager). Further back one can find Grade 1 winner Greek Answer

(Northern Answer), Group 3 victor Lawmaker (Round Table) and Group 3-placed

listed scorer Greek Sky (Nijinsky II). Celtic New Year is the last foal

registered from Reggae Queen.

"The 'Win and You're In' makes a difference," Sadler said. "Because it's

$90,000. We'll go on to Oak Tree and then the Breeders' Cup (Turf [G1])."