Del Mar Notebook

DEL MAR NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A quintet of big races topped the final week of racing at Del Mar Race

Course.

Del Mar Futurity S. (G1): Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams' TAMARANDO

(Bertrando) was near the back of the pack turning for home and unleashed a big

late kick while very wide to post the minor upset in this big race for

conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The juvenile colt, who was ridden by Julien

Leparoux, finished off seven-eighths on the Polytrack oval in 1:23.

Del Mar Debutante S. (G1): Stuart Downey et al's SHE'S A TIGER (Tale

of the Cat) pressed the pace to the top of the lane, opened up a big lead late

and held sway in the final yards to pick up her biggest win for trainer Jeff

Bonde. The juvenile filly sped seven panels on the main oval in 1:22 3/5 under

the guidance of Gary Stevens.

Del Mar Derby (1st division) (G2): House and Britt's GABRIEL CHARLES

(Street Hero) commenced his stretch run four-wide in the lane, reached even

terms in midstretch and inched clear to a 1 1/4-length tally for trainer Jeff

Mullins. The classy sophomore, who was piloted by Mike Smith, came home fast to

clock the 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf in 1:46 4/5.

Del Mar Derby (2nd division) (G2): Craig and Bello's ETHNIC DANCE

(Tribal Rule) took the lead soon after the start and was never headed en route

to a 1 1/4-length tally beneath Edwin Maldonado. The three-year-old colt stopped

the teletimer for nine panels on the firm lawn in 1:48 1/5 for conditioner John

Sadler.

Yellow Ribbon S. (G2): Little Red Feather Racing's EGG DROP (Alphabet

Soup) tracked in second to the top of the lane, took a short lead in midstretch

and gamely held off a nice one on her way to a head decision for conditioner

Mike Mitchell. The four-year-old filly endured 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf

oval in 1:40 2/5 under the guidance of Martin Garcia.

Track Stats

From a total of 67 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the

past week plus, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 48 percent of the wins. From 49 frays contested on the

Polytrack oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent), while five

of the 18 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (28 percent).

Meet Totals

RACES:		328
POLYTRACK:		234
TURF:		94
FAVORITES:		103 (31 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		65 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		19 (20 percent)
POLY WIRE:		61 (26 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (8/29)

8TH -- STRONG WIND (Tribal Rule) put in a big late run, and while the colt

burned a lot of money, the sophomore ran big in defeat for conditioner Mark

Glatt. The stakes-quality colt will be a major player right back with any kind

of forward progression in his return.

Friday (8/30)

3RD -- We really liked the acceleration VIONETT (Street Sense) put in this

affair from a visual standpoint for trainer Richard Mandella. The four-year-old

filly finished off her final five-sixteenths in a rapid :28 4/5 and could be on

track for a nice second half of 2013.

6TH -- HOLY LUTE (Midnight Lute) returns to this list with an ultra-game

stakes tally over a Grade 1 quality runner for trainer James Cassidy. The

precocious sophomore has run big in all three lifetime races to date and could

eventually also be a fine turf performer, we believe.

Saturday (8/31)

2ND -- SCHOOLOFHARDROCKS (Rock Hard Ten) made a powerful run into the lane

and graduated at first asking in a fine showing under Victor Espinoza. The David

Hoffmans trainee overcame the rail and a pretty good prospect to gain this tally

and he bears watching going forward for a conditioner not know for getting debut

winners, especially at two turns.

4TH -- We have a big opinion of maiden winner NEW YEAR'S DAY (Street Cry),

who was very professional throughout this measured tally. The Bob Baffert pupil

has tactical speed and a great stride, and his dam was a multiple Grade 2 winner

with a ton of versatility. He appears to be a Breeders' Cup Juvenile type.

8TH -- TIZ THE TRUTH (Tiznow) looked little like the fine prospect we watched

this spring, but the Baffert charge had to need one off the long break, and he

simply might not be a fan of this Polytrack surface. We'll tab the colt for

major improvement in his next outing, likely on the dirt at Santa Anita.

Sunday (9/1)

1ST -- SOI PHET (Tizbud) made it four in succession since joining the barn of

Leonard Powell, taking a short lead turning for home and proving too much to

deal with late in another fine race in a lifetime-best form cycle. This barn has

done some fine work with the five-year-old gelding.

8TH -- BELLE OF THE FLEET (Northern Afleet) broke perfectly out of the gate

and never turned back in posting a facile 4 1/4-length win for conditioner Dan

Hendricks. The two-year-old miss ran swiftly from start to finish and will

likely be a presence in with winners next time with proper placement.

Wednesday (9/4)

1ST -- GYPSY ROBIN (Daaher) looked like her old self with a fine tally in

this opener, in a race that might be better than it looks on paper. The Grade 2

heroine was never challenged seriously and will almost surely be graded stakes

bound in her next outing.

MKADAME CACTUS (Cactus Ridge) made a fine run through the lane and was a

clear second in her first run since November. The Peter Eurton-conditioned

stakes winner has a lot of options and could have a fine second half of this

campaign.

3RD -- DIAMON BACHELOR (War Front) has been superb from a pair of lifetime

tries for trainer Patrick Biancone and could evolve into any type with expected

progression. The expensive juvenile purchase is sure looking worth it to this

point.

A Look Ahead

The racing action moves to Fairplex Park.