Alms Still Perfect After Winning Jimmy Durante

DEL MAR, CA – Godolphin homebred Alms kept her perfect record intact after taking over in the stretch and clearing away to win Saturday’s $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.

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Breaking from post 2 under Paco Lopez at 5/2 odds, Alms settled comfortably just behind early leader Laura’s Light and second-place A G Indy. Laura’s Light posted opening fractions of :22.74, :48.08, and 1:12.72 while Alms tipped off the rail heading into the far turn and slowly advanced her position.

Meeting the pacesetter’s eye at the top of the stretch, Alms strolled to the lead before striding away under a hand ride to win convincingly. The Mike Stidham trainee crossed 2 3/4 lengths the best in a final time of 1:36.01 for the mile-long event over the good turf course.

“I had a perfect trip,” Lopez said. “Michael told me to get a spot behind the speed and it worked out. She came away from there well and we got a good spot. The course was good. I’d heard about all the rain here, but the course was very good. Not soft; just right. When I asked her, she gave me a big kick.”

Laura’s Light managed to hold second over a late-rallying Princesa Caroline, the race’s 4/5 favorite. Croughavouke rallied to take fourth over Applecross and Overjoyed, while behind them came a weakened A G Indy, Guitty, Homehome, Wise Rachel, and Seahawk Lisa to complete the order of finish.

Almost a Factor, Awesome Ella, and Lookintogeteven were scratched.

Alms’ win was her third in as many starts, including the Matron Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on October 5 last time out. The 2-year-old daughter of City Zip, a half-sister to the stakes-placed former Stidham trainee Hallie Belle, has now earned $183,750.

“She shipped in very well and seems to like it here,” said Stidham assistant James Bardean. “We had her sister and we’ve had high hopes for her all along.”

Alms returned $7.40 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3 to show. Laura’s Light brought back $21 to place and $8.20 to show, while Princesa Caroline paid $2.20 to show.