Del Mar Express Train Holds On Late To Win San Diego July 17, 2021 Credit: Benoit Photo Del Mar Express Train Holds On Late To Win San Diego July 17, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Enjoying a considerably cleaner trip while cutting back considerably from a third-place finish in the 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) last time out, C R K Stable’s Express Train took the lead at the 1/4 pole and held on against a late onslaught to win Saturday’s $250,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. Full Card Plays Now Available There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why The 5/2 second choice in the field of eight, Express Train and jockey Juan Hernandez pressed outside the early leader Rushie through the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch before overtaking that rival 1/4 of a mile from home.With the 8/5 favorite Royal Ship breathing down the rail and Tripoli mounting a furious rally down the center of the lane, the John Shirreffs trainee gamely held position to win the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route by a 1/2-length in 1:43.37.“He broke real sharp today and that was the key,” Hernandez said. “I stayed aggressive with him; he likes it and runs well when you do. We had a good spot until the 1/4 pole, and then I really got after him. He was responding well, and then those other horses came up on him and he dug in again. He’s a tough one.”Tripoli took second by 3/4 of a length over Royal Ship, second by a head in the Gold Cup whose rail bid faltered in deep stretch.Mo Mosa, Magic On Tap, Rushie, Sheriff Brown, and Kiss Today Goodbye completed the order of finish. Tripoli’s stablemate Heywoods Beach scratched to run in Sunday’s local 1 1/2-mile Cougar II Stakes (G3).Express Train’s win was his second at the graded stakes level following January’s San Pasqual Stakes (G2) and improved his overall record to 12-4-4-2 with $659,300 earned. The 4-year-old Union Rags colt will likely point to the $750,000 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), a 1 1/4-mile dirt route here August 21 that headlines the 2021 Del Mar meet.“I thought he was in a good spot the whole way, right off Rushie, and then when he was asked in the stretch, he responded well,” Shirreffs said. “The Pacific Classic, that would be the goal if everything works out.”Express Train returned $7.80 to win, $4.60 to place, and $2.80 to show. Tripoli brought back $7.80 to place and $4.20 to show. Royal Ship paid $2.60 to show.
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Breeders’ Cup Classic and Football Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 213 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Pre-Entries Analysis | Blinkers Off 690 The Racing Dudes dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Top 5 Performances Aaron gives his Top 5 Breeders’ Cup performances from the… Read More
Who is the 2024 3-Year-Old Male of the Year? Aaron gives his thoughts on who should be the 2024… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More