Three Stars of the Week
– 1st Star: Game On Dude (KY) – This was just brilliant! Just when you think the old gelding can’t get any better, he raises the bar another notch. Sunday’s 8 1/2 length win in the Pacific Classic was simply amazing, and keeps him undefeated on the year. The race probably puts him in the number one spot for horse of the year honors, and also gives him his first Pacific Classic victory in three tries. It’s obvious the Breeders Cup Classic will tell the story of his season, and the way he’s running now should be good enough to win it. At this point, he’s the best horse in the country.
– 2nd Star: Fed Biz (KY) – Everybody was throwing their money towards Goldencents in the Pat O’Brien Stakes, but it was Fed Biz who ran HUGE as he set a track record in his one length victory. The win was his first win since January, and only his second graded stakes win. Jockey Martin Garcia sat about eight length off the pace setters in ninth, and was able to just catch Goldencents in the final sixteenth of a mile. This race could mean that Fed Biz has found his game again, and should set him up nicely for a start in the Breeders Cup Mile or Sprint.
– 3rd Star: Obviously (IRE) – There are some low grumblings that Obviously just might be a horse that can challenge Wise Dan in the Breeders Cup Mile in November, and his win in the Del Mar Mile Handicap on Sunday will only add fuel to the fire. It was his third straight graded stakes win, and as usual he did it in wire to wire fashion. The presence of that early speed is such a valuable asset considering his ability to cut out fast fractions with relative ease without getting tired. I’m sure he’ll run in one more prep race before he tries to tackle the current horse of the year at Santa Anita in the Breeders Cup.
Flop of the Week
– Dullahan (KY) – It’s time to close the door on Dullahan. After winning the Pacific Classic just one year ago, he’s hit the board in just one of six races since. Not only has he been off the board, but he’s been a non-factor in most of them. They’ve tried him on different surfaces, countries, and spots with no success. At this point the horse probably needs some time away from the track.
Trainer Standings
Rank |
Trainer Name |
Sts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John W. Sadler | 120 | 23 | 23 | 20 | $2,057,718 | 19% | 66 | 55% | |
| 2 | Bob Baffert | 73 | 18 | 11 | 7 | $1,776,600 | 25% | 36 | 49% | |
| 2 | Doug F. O’Neill | 109 | 18 | 20 | 19 | $1,166,566 | 17% | 57 | 52% | |
| 4 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 69 | 16 | 6 | 7 | $1,029,350 | 23% | 29 | 42% | |
| 5 | Peter Miller | 78 | 14 | 15 | 8 | $789,052 | 18% | 37 | 47% | |
| 6 | Mike R. Mitchell | 53 | 10 | 8 | 7 | $527,294 | 19% | 25 | 47% | |
| 7 | Vann Belvoir | 33 | 7 | 1 | 3 | $150,480 | 21% | 11 | 33% | |
| 8 | Michael Pender | 23 | 5 | 2 | 6 | $458,706 | 22% | 13 | 57% | |
| 8 | Mike Puype | 44 | 5 | 7 | 4 | $380,322 | 11% | 16 | 36% | |
| 8 | Tim Yakteen | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | $284,946 | 29% | 8 | 47% | |
| 8 | Victor L. Garcia | 17 | 5 | 5 | 0 | $225,388 | 29% | 10 | 59% | |
| 12 | Thomas F. Proctor | 31 | 4 | 5 | 5 | $429,932 | 13% | 14 | 45% | |
| 12 | Jeff Mullins | 37 | 4 | 9 | 3 | $383,854 | 11% | 16 | 43% | |
| 12 | Mark Glatt | 31 | 4 | 5 | 3 | $306,692 | 13% | 12 | 39% | |
| 12 | Neil D. Drysdale | 18 | 4 | 4 | 1 | $297,980 | 22% | 9 | 50% | |
| 12 | Jeff Bonde | 27 | 4 | 5 | 3 | $271,246 | 15% | 12 | 44% | |
| 12 | Richard E. Mandella | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | $216,750 | 33% | 5 | 42% | |
| 12 | Dan L. Hendricks | 24 | 4 | 1 | 4 | $182,368 | 17% | 9 | 38% | |
| 12 | Leonard Powell | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | $173,730 | 44% | 4 | 44% | |
| 12 | Steven Miyadi | 23 | 4 | 4 | 4 | $165,390 | 17% | 12 | 52% |
Jockey Standings
| Rank |
Jockey Name |
Sts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
|
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Bejarano | 196 | 41 | 38 | 22 | $2,592,452 | 21% | 101 | 52% | |
| 2 | Martin Garcia | 118 | 24 | 16 | 9 | $1,948,432 | 20% | 49 | 42% | |
| 3 | Edwin A. Maldonado | 172 | 23 | 22 | 18 | $1,400,298 | 13% | 63 | 37% | |
| 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | 108 | 20 | 10 | 18 | $1,560,402 | 19% | 48 | 44% | |
| 5 | Victor Espinoza | 130 | 18 | 24 | 17 | $1,640,200 | 14% | 59 | 45% | |
| 6 | Joseph Talamo | 198 | 16 | 26 | 29 | $1,440,764 | 8% | 71 | 36% | |
| 7 | Gary L. Stevens | 59 | 15 | 7 | 6 | $1,018,466 | 25% | 28 | 47% | |
| 7 | Mario Gutierrez | 97 | 15 | 12 | 10 | $825,966 | 15% | 37 | 38% | |
| 9 | Corey S. Nakatani | 99 | 13 | 11 | 15 | $1,109,462 | 13% | 39 | 39% | |
| 10 | Garrett K. Gomez | 58 | 11 | 9 | 11 | $857,628 | 19% | 31 | 53% | |
| 10 | Agapito Delgadillo | 91 | 11 | 9 | 12 | $469,626 | 12% | 32 | 35% | |
| 12 | Irving Orozco | 104 | 9 | 10 | 16 | $487,282 | 9% | 35 | 34% |
Preview to Next Week
– Wednesday: The Generous Portion Stakes – Two Year old Cal Bred Fillies – Six Furlongs – Purse: $150,000
– Friday: The El Cajon Stakes – Three Year Olds – One Mile – Purse: $100,000
– Saturday: The Harry F. Brubaker Stakes – Three Year Olds and Upward – One Mile – Purse: $90,000
– Saturday: The Del Mar Debutante (Grade 1) – Two Year Old Fillies – Seven Furlongs – Purse: $300,000
– Sunday: The Adoration Stakes – Fillies and Mare Three Year Olds and Upward – One Mile – Purse: $90,000
– Sunday: The Torrey Pines Stakes – Three Year Old Fillies – One Mile – Purse: $100,000
– Sunday: The Del Mar Derby (Grade 1) – Three Year Olds – 1 1/8 Miles (Turf) – Purse: $300,000
– Monday: The I’m Smokin Stakes – Two Year Old Cal Breds – Six Furlongs – Purse: $150,000
– Monday: The Oak Tree Juvenile Turf – Two Year Old Fillies – One Mile (Turf) – Purse: $100,000
– Monday: The Yellow Ribbon Handicap (Grade 2) – Fillies and Mares Three Year Olds and Upward – 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) – Purse: $150,000
