Del Mar Daily Notebook

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

A field of 10 went to the gate for Sunday's Del Mar Derby (G2), which was

contested at nine furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. Stoneside (Ire)

(Marchand de Sable) was sent to the gate as the favorite even though this was

his North American debut. The bay was coming off a very nice second-place effort

in the Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1) at Chantilly and had finished off the board only

once in 13 career starts. The colt had posted five nice works over the Del Mar

turf since coming across the pond and the betting public obviously felt that he

was sitting on a top effort.

When the gates sprang open, Augment (Aptitude) immediately went to the lead

and guided the field through opening fractions of :24 and :48. The bay attempted

to widen his lead from there but, by the time he approached the final turn, the

rest of the field was closing in. Once they entered the stretch, MEDICI CODE

(GB) (Medicean) made a nice finishing move on the outside and wrestled away the

lead. The chestnut continued on determinedly from there to hit the finish line

three-quarters of a length in front.

Medici Code was making his third start of the meet over the Jimmy Durante

Turf Course and was coming off a very nice 1 1/4-length victory in the La Jolla

H. (G2) here on August 11. Prior to that effort, the gelding had vied for the

lead throughout only to miss by a head in the second division of the Oceanside

S. on the opening day of the meet. The lone disappointing effort that Medici

Code had put in all year came in his North American debut, when he finished

sixth, beaten by 11 1/2 lengths, in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) back in April.

Augment put in a very game performance and held on late to hit the finish

line in second, a half-length in front of a fast closing Worldly (GB) (Selkirk)

in third. Favored Stoneside really had no excuse today as after lying near the

back of the pack early, he lacked the late kick needed to have an impact and

crossed the finish line in sixth.

Also on Sunday, a field of 11 contested the Torrey Pines S. for

three-year-old fillies going eight furlongs over the Polytrack. Silver Swallow

(Alphabet Soup) was sent to the gate as the favorite as she was one of the more

accomplished members of the field. In four tries against graded stakes

competition, the gray had finished second on three occasions. In her most recent

effort, the three-year-old filly rallied from 12 lengths off the early pace to

finish second, beaten by three parts of a length, here against

allowance/optional claiming company. The betting public obviously felt that she

was ready to move past her recent case of "seconditis."

When the gates sprang open, Ask Sam (Cryptoclearance) bounded out onto the

lead and quickly opened up 3 1/2 lengths on the field through an opening quarter

that went in :24 1/5 and 10 lengths in a half that went in :48 4/5. As the bay

approached the final turn, though, SEASIDE AFFAIR (Sea of Secrets), who had been

content to lie a distant second early, began to close ground and moved up to

take the lead at the top of the stretch. It was then Seaside Affair's turn to

open up on the field as she continued to widen her advantage through the stretch

drive to hit the finish line 4 3/4 lengths in front.

The filly looked like anything but a 13-1 shot here and it was a bit amazing

that she rewarded her backers with such a generous payoff. Though she had

finished second here last out against allowance/optional claiming company,

Seaside Affair had a ton of back class and had faced some very impressive

stakes-level competition. While it would have been unrealistic to send her off

as the favorite here, the $28.20 she paid in victory was a bit surprising.

Romance is Diane (In Excess [Ire]), who rallied from off the pace last out to

finish third in the Fleet Treat S., closed well late here to cross the finish

line in second. Silver Swallow brought her tendency to finish second to an end

as she crossed the wire a half-length farther back in third.

There were five sprints contested over the Polytrack Sunday with horses

closing from off the pace winning four of them. As for the three routes, runners

closing from off the pace won all of these as well. There was one additional

turf route besides the Del Mar Derby on the day, which was won by a front

runner.

Michael Baze booted home a winner today and still leads the way in the jockey

standings with 48 for the meet. Joseph Talamo rode two winners today and remains

in second with 35. Victor Espinoza added one to his total today and remains in

third with 30.

Doug O'Neill went winless today but still leads the way in the trainer

standings with 21 for the meet. Jeff Mullins didn't send out any runners today

but remains in second with 18. Mike Mitchell added one to his total today and

still has possession of the third spot with 15.

Pick 6 players get ready as we have a carryover going into Monday's card of

$251,737.

Horses to Watch

4TH - TEMPERANCE (Ire) (Orpen) handled the move from the grass to the

Polytrack with the greatest of ease in this eight-furlong allowance/optional

claiming event. The bay was content to lay just off the pace early through a

tepid opening quarter that went in :25 3/5 before moving into contention in a

half that went in :51 2/5. Once the four-year-old filly hit the stretch, she

opened up on the field and finished with a nice turn of foot to cross the wire

three lengths clear of her nearest rival.

6TH - STREET BOSS (Street Cry [Ire]) made his debut one of the most

impressive performances of the meet in this six-furlong maiden special weight

event. The chestnut was soundly bumped at the start of this one and dropped back

more than 11 lengths off the pace early through opening fractions of :22 2/5 and

:46 2/5. Once the three-year-old colt hit the stretch, though, he unleashed a

visually awesome turn of foot and absolutely engulfed the field on his way to a

1 1/2 length-victory.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Monday, September 3

Monday's featured stakes offering is the Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) for

two-year-old fillies going seven furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 14 is

scheduled to go to the gate and several among this crowded field appear capable

of reaching the winner's circle. TASHA'S MIRACLE (Harlan's Holiday) is

undoubtedly the most accomplished member of the field as she is coming off a

nice victory here earlier in the meet in which she pressed the pace throughout

on her way to a convincing 3 1/4-length victory in the Sorrento S. (G3). The bay

may find the early pace today to be a bit quicker than what she has encountered

thus far, so this will undoubtedly be a great test to see if she is truly as

talented as she appears.

COMICAL VACATION (Comic Strip) made her debut in the California Thoroughbred

Breeders' Association S. here earlier in the meet. The gray put in an

outstanding performance as she was mugged at the start by the runners on either

side of her but ended up finishing well through the stretch to miss by only two

lengths. Though she crossed the wire in fifth, she was moved up to third for the

interference at the start. TREADMILL (E Dubai) was the one that garnered the

victory in the C.T.B.A. S., but has the unenviable chore of breaking from the

farm outside post in today's event. The bay has never finished worse than second

in three starts, and two of those efforts came against stakes competition.

THE GOLDEN NOODLE (D'wildcat) handed Treadmill her lone defeat and that came

in the Landaluce S. at Hollywood in which she rallied from nine lengths off the

pace with a nice closing move through the stretch to hit the finish line 3 1/2

lengths in front. If the pace becomes too hot on the lead here, she appears to

be the most likely beneficiary. SET PLAY (Van Nistelrooy) finished third in the

Landaluce before returning to finish second in the Sorrento. The chestnut has

been running right behind the best of this bunch and is capable of turning the

tables here with any improvement at all.

FOXY DANSEUR (Mr. Greeley) is still a maiden but ran well last out to finish

third in the Sorrento. The dark bay has been showing improvement and can crash

the board if that trend continues. IDIDNTMEANTOO (Fusaichi Pegasus) should offer

a bit of value in this event and can't be ruled out from making it into the

winner's circle after leading the field wire-to-wire last out against maiden

special weight company.

WILD BABY GIRL (Misbah) overcame a troubled trip to break her maiden in her

debut. The bay was claimed for $62,500 out of that event and would easily cover

that cost with a victory here. SPRING AWAKENING (In Excess [Ire]) posted the

best BRIS Speed rating in the field when breaking her maiden by 5 1/2 lengths

last out. A repeat of that effort would make her a threat here.

MAGIC MYTH (Johannesburg) and IZARRA (Distorted Humor) each broke their

maiden last out in their career debuts. Given that either has yet to do anything

wrong means that they too must be given consideration.

EVER SO PRETTY (Stormy Atlantic) finished up the track in the Landaluce but

has posted four bullet works in a row here at Del Mar. SUNDAY GEISHA (Sunday

Break [Jpn]) will be shipping in from Monmouth after finishing second in her

career debut. SWEET AUGUST MOON (Malibu Moon) will be making her first start in

a very tough spot for the always dangerous Brian Koriner.

Del Mar will also be offering a pair of listed stakes races on Monday, which

kicks off in the 4TH race with the Windy Sands H. for three-year-olds and up

going eight furlongs on the Polytrack. A field of seven is set to go to the gate

headed by BUZZARD'S BAY (Marco Bay), who will be looking to rebound off his poor

showing last out in the San Diego H. (G2) where he vied for the lead early

before totally packing it in late to finish eighth, beaten by 13 lengths. Prior

to that though, the chestnut had put in an outstanding effort in bringing home

the victory in the Californian S. (G2), stalking the pace early and digging in

determinedly late to hit the finish line a nose in front. The biggest question

here is whether Buzzard's Bay simply doesn't like Polytrack or will he be like

so many others this meet and revert back to his old form now that he has had a

start over the surface.

HEATSEEKER (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) just hasn't been able to get back into

the winner's circle since arriving in North America. The chestnut finished fifth

last out in the San Diego but he appears to be the one most likely to take the

victory if Buzzard's Bay struggles once more on the Polytrack. VISA PARADE (Arg)

(Parade Marshal) rallied from off the pace for a nice victory in his first start

over the Polytrack against allowance/optional claiming company. The bay could

pick up the win here if he moves forward off that effort.

PLUG ME IN (Hold for Gold) lit up the tote board here on the turf last out as

he led from gate-to-wire for a game three-quarter of a length victory. The bay

appears to be the speed of the field and could surprise here if he carries his

grass form over to the Polytrack.

Monday's 7TH race is the I'm Smokin S. for Cal-bred two-year-olds going six

furlongs. NEVADA WORRIER (Lord Carson) was extremely impressive when clearing

his maiden condition here last out as he stalked the pace early on his way to an

easy 3 3/4-length victory. The chestnut has posted a couple of decent

maintenance works since and could be ready to repeat.

MY REDEEMER (Valid Wager) finished second last out here in the Graduation S.

as he rallied from off the pace to miss by three lengths. The dark bay has yet

to finish off-the-board in four career starts. TOPPER SHOPPER (Old Topper) is

one of the speedier members of the field, as he showed last out when he led

wire-to wire to break his maiden by 3 1/2 lengths. If allowed his way on the

lead early, the chestnut could steal this one.

Monday's Best Plays

5TH - MISS JOSIEY WALES (GB) (Val Royal [Fr]) was claimed out of her last

start and moved into the barn of Richard Dutrow, who wins 40 percent of his

starts "First Off the Claim." The three-year-old filly tops the field in BRIS

Prime Power by 11 points and her BRIS Class rating also leads the way. The bay

performs her best closing from off the pace but has shown some ability to stalk

in the past, which will allow new jockey Talamo to have her well placed early

regardless of how fast they are going on the lead.

7TH - Nevada Worrier was extremely impressive while breaking his maiden last

out against fellow state-breds and a repeat of that performance would probably

be enough to get him his first stakes victory here.