Istanford wires San Clemente

Ike and Dawn Thrash & Sam and Janet Alley's Istanford took command of Saturday evening's Grade 2, $201,750

San Clemente

Handicap soon after the start and never looked back en route to a

2 1/2-length

victory under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Tepin made a determined run on the Istan

filly in the stretch of the one-mile, firm turf contest but could never reel her in as Istanford crossed under the

wire in 1:33.83, just missing the stakes record of 1:33.54 set by Storm Mesa in

2008.

"I knew there

was other speed in the race and

I wasn't expecting to be on the

lead," Bejarano said. "But my filly broke so well

and went right to the front and

I just let her go. She was

relaxed out there; she was

running easy. That's why she had

that nice kick at the end. She

wasn't running that hard.

"This felt good. I'm feeling

stronger now," he added. "When I

rode here opening day (Thursday

after being down several months

due to injury), I felt good to

ride, but not 100 percent. I'm

feeling better now. I've been

working hard and riding races

gets you back in shape. Winning

a stakes is very good. Good for

my confidence. I'm back now."

Sent off the 10-1 fifth choice in the 12-distaffer field, Istanford established

fractions of :23, :46 3/5 and 1:10 while chased by Miss Machavelli, Sheza Smoke

Show and Morning Fix. Sushi Empire and My Conquestadory were in the third flight

while Tepin bided her time saving ground on the rail in midpack.

Tepin used her inside position to slip through on the rail as the field hit

the turn and took off after Istanford but just could not catch the eventual

winner. The Bernstein filly was a length clear of My Conquestadory, who held 5-2

favorite Diversy Harbor to fourth by a half-length.