Strongconstitution Captures Let It Ride

DEL MAR, CA – Roadrunner Racing and Sayjay Racing’s Strongconstitution held off a stave of runners to narrowly capture Sunday’s $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar.

Sent from post 3 under Abel Cedillo as the 5/2 second choice, Strongconstitution stalked just off of Dominant Soul and Jammers Justice through opening fractions of :22.32, :45.62, and 1:10.16.

The field bunched up in the far turn, but Strongconstitution found an opening at the top of the stretch and squirted through to the lead halfway home.

Holding off a late rally from Heywoods Beach, the Doug O’Neill-trained Strongconstitution crossed a head clear while completing the firm turf mile in 1:34.09.

“My horse ran strong in the stakes,” Cedillo said. “We got through inside and he got it done.”

Heywoods Beach was 3/4 of a length ahead of Lane Way, the 2/1 favorite in the field of 3-year-olds.

I’m Leaving You took fourth ahead of a four-way photo that ultimately came across as Lure Him In, Goalie, Rookie Mistake, and Margot’s Boy.

The pacesetting duo Dominant Soul and Jammers Justice completed the order of finish.

Strongconstitution’s win was his first since breaking his maiden on debut over the local dirt in August 2019. The Constitution colt’s record now stands at 7-2-2-2 with $135,500 earned.

“He was training really nice up to the race and that told us he was ready,” said assistant trainer Leandro Mora. “We got pretty worried up to the last 1/4 mile because he got blocked pretty good, but when he got through on the rail, we were praying for the other one (stablemate Rookie Mistake) get up there too, and it almost happened.”

Strongconstitution returned $7.20 to win, $4.20 to place, and $2.80 to show. Heywoods Beach brought back $7.60 to place and $4.60 to show, while Lane Way paid $2.80 to show.