Madone Outbattles Going Global In San Clemente

DEL MAR, CA – After a thrilling stretch run, Kaleem Shah’s Madone outbattled the heavy 2/5 favorite Going Global in the late stages to win Saturday’s $200,000 San Clemente Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.

Madone settled well off the pace after breaking from post 9 under Juan Hernandez, several lengths behind Going Global’s Phil D’Amato stablemate Equilove and fellow pacesetter Nimbostratus.

The field bunched while entering the far turn and Pizzazz charged three-wide to briefly lead while cornering, but that was short-lived as Going Global and Flavien Prat surged between Nimbostratus and an advancing Tetragonal at the top of the stretch.

Off the far turn at the rear of the field, Hernandez tipped Madone out to the center of the course and sent her to the front, a move the Simon Callaghan trainee performed willingly.

Rallying hard to collar the rail-skimming favorite near the 1/8 pole, Madone outran Going Global late to win the firm turf mile route by a 1/2-length in 1:35.28.

Tetragonal was 1 length behind them in third, with another 3/4 of a length back to Karakatsie in fourth. After the race, a jockey’s objection was raised and a steward’s inquiry was held regarding possible contact between Tetragonal and Karakatsie, but the stewards ruled to make no change to the original order of finish.

Jibber Jabber, Dramatizer, Freedom Flyer, Pizzazz, Nimbostratus, and Equilove completed the order of finish.

Founder’s Day and Closing Remarks scratched from the field of 3-year-old fillies.

Madone’s win was her second of the year following the May 1 Senorita Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park and returned her to the winner’s circle after finishing sixth in the 1 1/8-mile Honeymoon Stakes (G3) May 22. The Vancouver filly, who began her career winning 2 straight over this course and distance at last year’s summer meet, improved her record to 7-5-0-0 with $331,800 earned.

Madone returned $13.60 to win, $4 to place, and $3 to show. Going Global brought back $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Tetragonal paid $3.80 to show.