Del Mar Notebook

DEL MAR NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 3, 2014

by John Mucciolo

There were seven graded races during closing weekend at Del Mar Race Course

and the racing action was

headlined by California Chrome.

Hollywood Derby (G1): Coburn et al's homebred CALIFORNIA CHROME (Lucky

Pulpit) passed his first grass test with ease, rolling home a two-length winner

for trainer Art Sherman. The dual classic winner was never challenged getting

the nine furlongs on firm turf in 1:47 4/5 with Victor Espinoza.

Matriarch S. (G1): Salvador Hernandez' LA TIA (City Place) took an early

lead and never stopped in earning a 1 1/4-length triumph to bag her first Grade

1 race beneath Joel Rosario. The Illinois-bred mare finished off one mile on the

firm turf in 1:35 1/5 for trainer Armando de la Cerda.

Hollywood Turf Cup (G2): Donegal Racing and Rockingham Ranch's FINNEGANS

WAKE (Powerscourt) moved out late for the stretch run and gamely got up in the

final strides to post a neck tally beneath the guidance of Victor Espinoza. The

five-year-old Dale Romans trainee endured 1 1/2  miles on the firm turf in

2:27 1/5.

Seabiscuit H. (G2): Quintessential Racing Florida's KAIGUN (Northern Afleet)

was last after the opening half-mile, but the Mark Casse trainee gained momentum

approaching the stretch and finished up with fine energy to notch this one by

three parts of a length. The four-year-old gelding finished off 1 1/16 miles on

the firm turf in 1:41 1/5 under Corey Nakatani.

Native Diver S. (G3): Gary Barber et al's BIG CAZANOVA (Arg) (Giant's

Causeway) took command early, was confronted by a foe at the top of the lane and

then spurted clear late to secure a 3 1/4-length victory for conditioner Peter

Miller. The speedy five-year-old completed nine panels on the Poltrack in 1:49

1/5 with Elvis Trujillo in the irons.

Jimmy Durante S. (G3): Bill and Vicky Poston's OL' FASHION GIRL (Sky Mesa)

tracked close to the pace, moved to the fore near midstretch and held sway late

in posting a neck win with Joe Talamo riding. The 21-1 shot clocked a mile on

the Polytrack surface in 1:37 1/5 for conditioner Mark Casse.

Cecil B. Demille S. (G3): Conquest Stables' CONQUEST TYPHOON (Stormy

Atlantic) was shuffled back to the rear of the field early on but closed with a

rush to post a half-length win for Casse. The talented juvenile colt stopped the

teletimer in 1:36 4/5 on the firm turf beneath Mike Smith.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the

past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the Polytrack

oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent), while two of the 13

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).

Speed on the main oval was dominant as the trend continued at this venue.

Route speed was especially dangerous, as well, as it has been for some time.

Both of the turf wire jobs came in route runs, which is not something we are

very accustomed to seeing here, though both winners were very logical.

Meet Totals

RACES:		129
POLYTRACK:		83
TURF:		46
FAVORITES:		41 (32 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		32 (25 percent)
TURF WIRE:		9 (20 percent)
POLY WIRE:		36 (43 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (11/27)

2ND -- Peter Miller's XOXO (Majestic Warrior) got the jump and never looked

back under Elvis Trujillo, posting a fine allowance tally over a nice prospect.

The juvenile miss could be stakes bound in the near future.

3RD -- On a day where speed was dominant for the most part, WILLARD E

(McCann's Mojave) went last-to-first in a sharp graduating run under Alex Solis.

We're not sure what the gelding defeated in here but he's one to watch if

properly placed in his subsequent outing.

5TH -- We've liked BLINGISMYTHING (Arch) since her debut run last season and

the Eric Kruljac filly might turn out to be a nice one with more seasoning. The

four-year-old was much the best in the lane against a useful field in this

affair and we will be playing her right back in all likelihood.

Friday (11/28)

6TH -- The capable JUDY IN DISGUISE (Elusive City) showed little rust off the

11-month absence in powering home best in a nice field of allowance runners. The

Simon Callaghan pupil was a bit wide every bit of the way but never wavered late

in a fine comeback performance.

Saturday (11/29)

4TH -- METABOSS (Street Boss) handled the move to two turns well for

conditioner Jeff Bonde and lost to a horse who had a dream trip throughout. We

envision this one graduating before long after being more than two lengths clear

of third.

9TH -- SECRET CHORDS (Sharp Humor) popped out of the gate with a ton of pace

and stayed on well to be defeated by less than a length in a fine first showing

at a nice price. The juvenile filly from the barn of A.C. Avila will be super

tough next time with even minor improvement.

Sunday (11/30)

7TH -- FEROCIOUS (Tale of the Cat) showed little in finishing last in this

spot, but the Ron Ellis trainee showed too much ability in the spring and we'll

draw a line through this outing, his first on an all-weather track. Expect a

solid price on the stakes-placed sophomore next time out.

9TH -- Callaghan saddled another nice prospect in FIRING LINE (Line of

David), who rolled home a daylight winner in his second lifetime performance.

The expensive two-year-old purchase, who was a big second at first asking, left

no doubt in here and should have a future in the stakes race with expected

improvement.

A Look Ahead

The action moves to Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.