Del Mar Notebook

DEL MAR NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 13, 2009

by John Mucciolo

ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) ran her remarkable win streak to a dozen with a

thrilling finish on Sunday.

Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1): Jerry and Ann Moss' Zenyatta left it a little late in this one, but

the John Shirreffs dynamo proved why she is a champion for the ages with a

rallying triumph under Mike Smith. The unbeaten five-year-old went 1 1/16 miles

in 1:43 1/5 while finishing a head clear.

Bing Crosby H. (G1): Zayat Stables' ZENSATIONAL (Unbridled's Song) picked up his second straight

Grade 1 win versus elders with a 2 1/2-length romp for Bob Baffert. Piloted by

Victor Espinoza, the three-year-old sped six panels in a sharp 1:08 2/5.

Best Pal S. (G2): Mike Pegram et al's LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) made good on his 7-5 favoritism

with a professional tally under Garrett Gomez, inching clear to win by

three-quarters of a length. The Baffert pupil reached the wire in 1:16 for 6 1/2

furlongs to remain unbeaten from two starts.

Sorrento S. (G3): Southern Equine Stables' MI SUENO (Pulpit) picked a good way to break her

maiden with a dominant, 6 1/2-length score for Eric Guillot. The impeccably bred

juvenile filly finished off 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16 2/5 beneath Mike Baze.

Track Stats

From a total of 46 races held over the coastal racetrack during the four-day

week, favorites won at a 43 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 52 percent of the wins. From 37 frays contested on the Polytrack

oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while two of the nine

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (22 percent).

It was an odd week at Del Mar, as speed horses were prominent yet late

runners had almost just as much success. In addition to that, 20 favorites won

yet a lot of huge bombs came in as well.

Wider posts are still winning at a higher clip than the inside three posts,

and we don't envision that statistic changing anytime soon. Just seven of the 37

winners from Thursday through Sunday won while breaking from post positions 1-3.

Meet Totals

RACES:		139
POLYTRACK:		107
TURF:		32
FAVORITES:		44 (32 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		24 (17 percent)
TURF WIRE:		4 (13 percent)
POLYTRACK WIRE:		27 (25 percent)

Post Positions (wins):

RAIL:		15
1-3:		39
4-6:		50
7-out:		50

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/5)

5TH -- LAVENDER TOUCH (Touch Gold) held on after opening up a big

early lead and will now go to conditioner Doug O'Neill after being claimed out

of this dash. The four-year-old has ability and can run on any oval in Southern

California, so we expect a big effort next out.

7TH -- HERMIONE'S MAGIC (GB) (Systematic) made a strong U.S.

debut for Kathy Walsh, rallying from well back to win under Smith. The

sophomore miss warrants respect in her return.

Thursday (8/6)

2ND -- STREAKIN EXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) beat a potentially nice field like a

good thing under Gomez, and the Ted West charge should be stakes bound

before long.

Friday (8/7)

6TH -- SHADOW OF ILLINOIS (Illinois Storm) drilled five grassy

furlongs in a swift :55 1/5 to dust this field for conditioner Anthony Saavedra.

The gelded nine-year-old is still very good on his best days.

7TH -- MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow) was clearly overbet in here and never

factored in his return to the races, but the three-year-old could still turn out

fine for Eoin Harty. The well-bred colt should be turf bound soon after seeing

his full brother thrive on the lawn last week.

Saturday (8/8)

4TH -- SPURRIER (Dixieland Band) has really evolved into a solid

runner and finished a clear second in a fine effort on this day for Baffert. The four-year-old colt fits well in high-level claiming or allowance

fields.

Sunday (8/9)

4TH -- We tabbed maiden-winning juvenile Lookin at Lucky as a horse

to keep an eye on at this meet, and we see this colt as a future Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1) champ after another solid win.

6TH -- SOFTLY SINGING (Holy Bull) was a sharp second at first

asking for Jerry Hollendorfer, and the juvenile filly should be in the winners'

circle before long.

A Look Ahead

The $150,000 La Jolla H. (G2) will highlight Saturday's card, while Sunday's

$350,000 John C. Mabee S. (G1) is the weekend's top draw.