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Del Mar Report #6

Del Mar Report #6

3 Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: Dullahan (KY) – Ok…Time for me to eat some crow.  I made it very clear weeks ago that I felt like Dullahan had no chance to win the Pacific Classic.  I laughed at the thought of him shipping across the country just to be an also ran.  Insert FOOT into MOUTH!  Wow was I wrong, and I’m man enough to admit it.  Dullahan was incredible an Sunday, winning the Pacific Classic in TRACK RECORD time.  He whipped the best older horses California has to offer, and to be honest it looked rather easy for him.  The classic distance is no problem for him at all, as it looked like he could run around the track for another lap!  Now the big question is…where does Dullahan go next?  Classic or Turf Classic?  Where will his prep race be?  Do they try him on dirt?  All are fun questions to think about, as this horse will quickly become the topic of many debates.  Congrats to Dullahan and all that cashed on him, this handicapper is humbled…at least for a day or two!

– 2nd Star: Obviously (IRE) – Obviously did everything he can to hold off a charging Mr. Commons in the Del Mar Mile, as he had to run it in record time to get the job done.  For much of the race this one looked like it was going to be a total blow out, as Obviously was way ahead from the rest of the field.  Mr. Commons came flying late making up a ton of ground, but Obviously won the head bob at the wire.  Both these horses were really sharp, and I think both can move forward and be contender in the Breeders Cup Turf Mile.

– 3rd Star: Game On Dude (KY) – Sure he finished second, but it was a solid effort by Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic.  He was beaten less than a length to a horse that set the track record, and moving forward he still is the favorite for the Breeders Cup Classic.  I’m not sure if it would have made a difference, but I felt he made his move a little earlier than he should have.  I’m not going to call it a horrible ride, but it’s certainly not one that will get Chantal Sutherland into the Hall of Fame.  Look for one more prep race for Game On Dude, then it’s on to the Classic.

Flop of the Week

Maker Or Breaker (KY) – It’s very unfair for me to call this horse the biggest flop, but there just wasn’t a lot of good choices for this spot this week.  Maker Or Breaker was a heavy favorite in an allowance last Wednesday, and was beaten finishing a close second.  I wouldn’t call this a flop, as much as a learning experience.  The horse had a little trouble on the turn and was bumped, which may have cost her a little.  She still hung a little I thought, but look for her to come back running well next time out.

Trainer Standings

Rank Trainer Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $ Win% Top3 Top3%
1 Peter Miller 71 18 10 13 $801,270 25% 41 58%
1 Doug F. O’Neill 82 18 10 11 $778,516 22% 39 48%
3 Bob Baffert 65 16 11 9 $1,498,872 25% 36 55%
4 John W. Sadler 86 15 12 11 $1,031,334 17% 38 44%
5 Barry Abrams 53 9 5 2 $446,210 17% 16 30%
5 Jeff Mullins 38 9 5 5 $406,350 24% 19 50%
7 Ronald W. Ellis 23 6 2 2 $636,520 26% 10 43%
7 Mike R. Mitchell 46 6 8 5 $437,540 13% 19 41%
7 Thomas F. Proctor 19 6 3 3 $398,620 32% 12 63%
7 Mike Puype 42 6 9 1 $379,114 14% 16 38%
7 Carla Gaines 21 6 1 2 $351,758 29% 9 43%
7 Mark Glatt 31 6 5 4 $338,470 19% 15 48%
7 Robert B. Hess, Jr. 27 6 4 3 $194,740 22% 13 48%

Jockey Standings

Rank Jockey Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $ Win% Top3 Top3%
1 Rafael Bejarano 174 45 29 28 $2,669,838 26% 102 59%
2 Joseph Talamo 183 34 25 27 $2,142,896 19% 86 47%
3 Garrett K. Gomez 172 32 20 36 $1,975,098 19% 88 51%
4 Martin Garcia 139 17 20 14 $960,150 12% 51 37%
4 Edwin A. Maldonado 140 17 21 13 $898,238 12% 51 36%
6 Corey S. Nakatani 96 13 11 10 $819,596 14% 34 35%
7 Victor Espinoza 127 11 26 13 $1,038,590 9% 50 39%
8 Martin A. Pedroza 115 9 11 9 $572,260 8% 29 25%
8 Juan J. Hernandez 100 9 13 10 $422,610 9% 32 32%
10 David Romero Flores 88 8 6 11 $655,697 9% 25 28%
10 Kevin Krigger 88 8 8 12 $496,564 9% 28 32%
10 Eswan Flores 105 8 13 12 $401,274 8% 33 31%
13 Mike E. Smith 39 7 6 2 $771,680 18% 15 38%

Preview to Next Week

– The Generous Portion Stakes – Wednesday – CA bred fillies, two-year olds – six furlongs – $150,000

– The El Cajun Stakes – Friday – three-year olds – One Mile – $100,000

– The Harry F. Burbaker Stakes – Saturday – three-year olds and upward – One Mile – $85,000

– The Del Mar Debutante (Grade 1) – Saturday – two-year old fillies – Seven Furlongs – $300,000

– The Adoration Stakes – Sunday – fillies and mares, three-year olds and upward – One Mile – $85,000

– The Torrey Pines Stakes – Sunday – Three year old fillies – One Mile – $100,000

– The Del Mar Derby (Grade 2) – Sunday – Three year olds – 1 1/8th miles (turf) – $300,000

– The I’m Smokin Stakes – Monday – Two year old CA Breds – Six Furlongs – $150,000

– The Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf – Monday – Two year old fillies – One Mile (Turf) – $100,000

– The Yellow Ribbon Handicap (Grade 2) – Monday – fillies and mares, three-year olds and upward – 1 1/16th miles (turf) – $250,000

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