Never Be Enough Captures Kathryn Crosby

DEL MAR, CA – Ronald Charles and Samuel Gordon’s Never Be Enough used a strong rally down the middle of the lane to capture Saturday’s $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.

The Manuel Badilla trainee sat second-to-last in the 7-horse field under Tiago Pereira and watched the 9/5 favorite She’s Our Charm lead through the early running.

Tipped out at the top of the stretch to run five-wide down the lane, Never Be Enough cruised past her rivals to the lead at the 1/16 pole before crossing a confidently-handled 1 length the best.

Never Be Enough completed the firm turf mile route in 1:33.87.

“My agent (Patty Sterling) spoke to the trainer this morning about this horse,” said Pereira. “He said she’s got lots of speed and could go to the front, but if you go to the front, she’s not going to finish. He said take a hold of her and get her to relax, then get them in the straight. That’s just what I did, and when I asked the horse in the lane, she had a great kick. Really good way to start the meet for me.”

Colonial Creed, who held the lead for about 1 1/2 jumps before the winner surpassed her, finished second ahead of a four-horse photo for third.

Cordiality, Ellie Arroway, She’s Our Charm, and Muchly were separated by head, a nose, and a neck, respectively. Proud Emma never improved from last before completing the order of finish.

Qahira was a veterinarian scratch.

Never Be Enough’s win was her first at the stakes level and third straight overall, improving her record to 27-7-4-7. The British-bred 4-year-old Sir Percy filly, who briefly tried a hurdle competition overseas in 2019, has now earned $147,425.

“I was a little nervous when she was last at the 1/2-mile pole,” Badilla said from his base at Golden Gate Fields. “Then I saw the fractions and I wasn’t as nervous. This mare has a turn of foot and she’s a real runner. Back in Europe, she ran against boys and in hurdles and on the flat. Talk about an iron horse. She’ll ship back here Tuesday and we’ll decide what’s next from there.”

Never Be Enough returned $14.80 to win, $7.40 to place, and $5.20 to show. Colonial Creed brought back $8.20 to place and $5.40 to show, while Cordiality paid $4.20 to show.