Race Recaps Hunt Stretches Out Big in G2 Del Mar Handicap August 19, 2017 Race Recaps Hunt Stretches Out Big in G2 Del Mar Handicap August 19, 2017 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Showing that the added distance meant nothing, Michael House’s Hunt stretched out in a big way to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap. With the win, Hunt earned an all-fees-waived berth in the Breeders’ Cup Longines Turf on November 4 here at Del Mar. Jockey Flavien Prat placed Hunt in a three-deep stalking position while Mr. Roary set early splits of :24.40, :49.40, 1:14.88, and 1:39.09. Going to the outside in the stretch, Hunt shot back inside and gained the lead past the midstretch, running hard to hold off the late-charging Itsinthepost, completing the 1 3/8-mile turf race in 2:14.93. “The slow pace helped us; he like that, coming from the shorter race,” said Prat. “We were close up, too. He likes to be among horses; covered up. I followed (jockey) Gary (Stevens on Ashleyluvssugar) through the hole (at the top of the stretch), then dropped down. Had it from there.” The 11-furlong marathon was 2 furlongs longer than any distance that Hunt had previously run, but after winning the Grade 2 Eddie Read over 9 furlongs on July 22 here at Del Mar, Prat told trainer Phil D’Amato that Hunt should be able to handle stretching out longer. “It was a masterful ride,” D’Amato said. “Flavien just bided his time, let the race develop a little, found a seam on the inside, and turned him loose. He got it done.” Flamboyant just missed second by a head, but the 18-1 longshot’s connections were still happy to hit the board. Prime Attraction won a four-way photo for fourth over Inordinate, Ashleyluvssugar, and Up With the Birds. He Will, Editore, Big John B, Liam the Charmer, Monster Bea, and Mr. Roary completed the order of finish. New Subscriber Bonus: Access our Top 10 Wagering Angles in Racing to see exactly what we look for when opening up the past performances. The win improved the Irish-born Hunt’s record to 23-7-5-3, including 6-2-2-0 at Del Mar. It was Prat’s seventh and D’Amato’s sixth stakes win of the Del Mar meet, which puts each at the top of the jockeys and trainers standings. Hunt returned $8.80 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.60 to show. Itsinthepost brought back $4.60 to place and $3.80 to show, while Flamboyant paid $9.20 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