Del Mar Notebook

DEL MAR NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 11, 2010

by John Mucciolo

The "big mare" gave the Del Mar fans what they wanted to see on Saturday.

Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1): For the 18th time in succession, Jerry and

Ann Moss' ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) strutted her stuff on way to victory for

conditioner John Shirreffs. The otherworldly six-year-old got 1 1/16-miles in

1:45 while a measured, neck clear at the wire with regular rider Mike Smith.

Don't be fooled by the final margin!

Best Pal S. (G2): Gem Stable's J P'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal) led at

every call as the 123-pound high weight to win his third straight stakes for

trainer David Hofmans. Winner of the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) in his

previous start, the swift juvenile stopped the teletimer for 6 1/2-furlongs in

1:16 3/5 with Pat Valenzuela replacing an injured Joe Talamo.

Sorrento S. (G3): Moehrke et al's WICKEDLY PERFECT (Congrats) bid

three deep on the turn and inched clear to a one-length score in here for

conditioner Doug O' Neill. The unbeaten miss finished off 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17

with Rafael Bejarano.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 races held over the coastal racetrack during the five-day

race week, favorites won at a 21 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 44 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Polytrack

oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while one of the 11

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (9 percent).

The turf course continues to favor closers -- we've noticed that this trend

was true for much of 2009, as well.

Speed has been tough on horses going two turns, but front runners and pace

pressers have had success while sprinting over the Polytrack for the majority of

the meeting.

We still are very impressed with the public, as the top two betting choices

have combined to win 51 of the races at this oft-unpredictable meet.

Meet Totals

RACES:		131
POLYTRACK:		95
TURF:		36
FAVORITES:		38 (29 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		29 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		3 (8 percent)
POLY-WIRE:		26 (27 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/4)

3RD -- The Bob Baffert-trained FOR THE MEMORIES (A.P. Indy) put in a solid

effort at first asking in here to be third, ranging up to the leader before

falling short late under Martin Garcia. The debuting sophomore lass should

surely be dangerous in her return and figures to handle even more distance.

4TH -- SUGAR SPIKE (Bertrando) won the battle but lost the war so to speak

after shaking clear in the stretch prior to falling just short at the wire. The

three-year-old filly should not be ignored for these low-profile connections.

7TH -- BENCH POINTS (Benchmark) put on quite a performance late in this dash,

blowing by this group en route to a comfortable score in the restricted

Graduation S. beneath Rafael Bejarano. The Tim Yakteen pupil could be good

enough to excel with open company in the near future.

Thursday (8/5)

2ND -- Watch horse QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite) came back on short notice to win

again, inching clear late in his first for conditioner Mike Mitchell. The

talented gelding was claimed out of here by O' Neill, and he'll be a big factor

against similar next out.

Friday (8/6)

1ST -- TROPIC STORM (Stormy Atlantic), unraced since September of 2008, sped

to the front and was just nosed late, but was eventually moved up via DQ in a

fine try for Craig Dollase. The once promising sprinter could be a useful one on

the lawn at six.

2ND -- The impeccably-bred AMERICAN STORY (Ghostzapper) made good at first

asking for Baffert, rallying late to earn the win with Garcia aboard. The

sophomore lass could be any type.

Saturday (8/7)

7TH -- HOLLYWOOD HEIST (Silver Train) came home fast behind a moderate early

pace and has every right to improve in his second try for Mike Harrington.

9TH – Hirsch runner-up RINTERVAL (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire] has now been

narrowly defeated by champions Zenyatta and Informed Decision (Monarchos) in her

last pair -- the competition can only get easier for the synthetic specialist.

Sunday (8/8)

3RD -- Southern Hemisphere import LATE CUDDLE (NZ) (Postponed) annihilated

this field in her U.S. bow for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, drawing off by an

emphatic, 6 1/4 lengths under the guidance of Bejarano. We're at a loss for

words with this showing, not knowing whether she topped next to nothing or is

the next coming.

A Look Ahead

The grassy, $250,000 John C. Mabee S. (G2) on Sunday and Saturday's $150,000

La Jolla H. (G2) are the graded features this weekend at Del Mar.