Race Recaps Stellar Wind Outlasts Vale Dori, Takes G1 Clement Hirsch July 30, 2017 Race Recaps Stellar Wind Outlasts Vale Dori, Takes G1 Clement Hirsch July 30, 2017 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Classy as ever, Stellar Wind outlasted Vale Dori at the wire in Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch. The race is a Win and You’re In for Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Friday, November 3, here at Del Mar. New Subscriber Bonus: Access our Top 10 Wagering Angles in Racing to see exactly what we look for when opening up the past performances. Jockey Victor Espinoza and Stellar Wind used very similar tactics to upset Beholder in the 2016 edition. Shadowing the outside of the leader (Vale Dori), Espinoza began to put Stellar Wind to task as they entered into the far turn. Exiting onto the stretch stride-for-stride, Stellar Wind put a nose in front and gamely held off the foe to her inside by a neck, never backing down for a moment from the challenge. “Once she broke (well), I felt the race was all over,” Espinoza said. “I have so much confidence in her, I knew she’d win. And she showed me to be right again. I had that other horse (Vale Dori) measured. I knew I could win. It was a good race, side-by-side down the stretch, but I was going to be the winner. I had to win it for John (trainer Sadler), it was his birthday. And my horse had plenty left; she still had plenty in the tank.” Trainer Bob Baffert entered both Vale Dori and Faithfully in an attempt to finally conquer the Hirsch, which is conspicuously absent from the record 121 stakes races that Baffert has taken at Del Mar in the past 26 years. Despite the best efforts of jockeys Mike Smith and Rafael Bejarano, respectively, the favorite Stellar Wind was not to be conquered. “Just what I wanted for my birthday,” said Sadler. “She ran really well. I was nervous because of the way favorites have fared here, but she’s a good mare. She came through and she stuck her nose out at the end like she usually does. It looked like it was going to set up pretty much like the last race; Vale Dori is the speed. We know we can’t sit off her too far, you’ve got to hook into her and wear her down. We’re really happy.” Faithfully held on for third, 1 1/2 lengths behind the top two. Motown Lady and Autumn Flower completed the order of finish. Shenandoah Queen was scratched. The Hronis Racing 5-year-old mare increased her career earnings to $2,233,200 with the $180,000 winner’s share. Her record improved to 15-10-2-1 and she has now won three straight Grade 1s to start 2017 (after the Apple Blossom and the Beholder Mile). Stellar Wind returned $3 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Vale Dori brought back $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show, while Faithfully paid $2.40 to show.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Picks: Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby | Blinkers Off 712 The Racing Dudes preview the two major 2025 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Sweet 16 PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 232 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the Arkansas… Read More
Louisiana Derby 2025 Preview and Saturday Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 711 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Fair Grounds Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 584 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Fair Grounds Race Course… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Reaction & PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 231 Aaron and Papa Dude react to the NCAA men’s basketball… Read More
Get Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial & Santa Anita Derby Picks in Betting Bible Get the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes Betting Bible, featuring the EXACT race-by-race wagering… Read More
Blue Grass Stakes Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Blues Grass Stakes at Keeneland &… Read More
Santa Anita Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita… Read More
Wood Memorial Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct & gives… Read More
Field of Seven Set for Saturday’s 101st Running of the $1.25 Million Toyota Blue Grass LEXINGTON, KY – WinStar Farm, CHC Inc., Pantofel Stable and Wachtel… Read More