Race Recaps Sharp Samurai Continues Winning Ways In G2 Del Mar Derby September 3, 2017 Race Recaps Sharp Samurai Continues Winning Ways In G2 Del Mar Derby September 3, 2017 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Trainer/co-owner Mark Glatt’s Sharp Samurai doubled down on his Del Mar turf dominance on Sunday, using a great stalking trip from jockey Gary Stevens to take the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Derby. Stalking three deep after breaking from post 5, Stevens held the 3-year-old gelding in check while Monster Man and Harbour Master took turns leading through splits of :24.10, :48.91, and 1:12.51. Exiting the far turn five wide, Sharp Samurai shot ahead to take the lead in midstretch, then held off Big Score and Bowies Hero to complete the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48.03. “We took our time with this horse and made the right decisions,” said Glatt, who co-owns with Red Baron’s Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal LLC. “It doesn’t always work, but this is very exciting. I thought he was well-placed early, in the clear, which is where we wanted to be. We didn’t think they’d be going very fast, and when they don’t go fast, they have a tendency to bunch. Gary rode him perfectly, pushed the button exactly when he needed to, and the horse responded.” Familiar foes Big Score (winner of the Zuma Beach here last fall and the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland in April) and Bowies Hero (victorious in last summer’s Del Mar Juvenile Turf and this year’s Oceanside on Del Mar’s Opening Day) finished second and third, with Colonist missing the board by a neck. Fashion Business, Ritzy A. P., Double Touch, Monster Man, Marckie’s Water, and Harbour Master completed the order of finish. Sorry Erik was scratched. It was the third straight stakes win for Sharp Samurai, who also took the Grade 3 La Jolla here last month and the Rainbow at Santa Anita in June. His career record now stands at 8-5-0-0 with earnings of $345,870. New Subscriber Bonus: Access our Top 10 Wagering Angles in Racing to see exactly what we look for when opening up the past performances. “Lot of progress with this horse,” Stevens said. “His confidence level has gone sky high and he’s really liking what he’s doing. Been getting on him in the mornings and it’s all good. He likes the stalking trip and he’s been showing us a turn of foot that we didn’t realize he had. Mark asked me how I saw the race coming up and I told him I wasn’t sure. But it unfolded just about right. I got a jump on (Big Score) and that was key. Good race for him. Fun summer for me, too. This is turning out to be a pretty nice semi-retirement.” Sharp Samurai paid $6.60 to win, $3.60 to place, and $3 to show. Big Score paid $3.80 to place and $3 to show, while Bowies Hero paid $3.20 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More