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MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
by: Valerie Mellema
There's no better way than to spend the weekend near the surf and watching horses on the turf (and dirt). Here's your weekend stakes update from Del Mar by the sea.
Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2T)
WHAT A VIEW set the pace for the ten horse field completing the quarter mile in :23.20 and the half in :46.46. BOLO and OHIO followed right behind into the last turn. On the outside SHARP SAMURAI swept to the outside, moving into third and the field bunched tightly together running into the stretch.
PRINCE EARL maintained his spot on the rail behind traffic coming into the far turn and began improving their position coming off the turn. BOWIES HERO, SHARP SAMURAI and GRECIAN FIRE looked to be rallying for the lead, but PRINCE EARL found a hole and ran through it to open up the distance and win at the wire by a quarter length.
The 4-year-old last raced in December, nine months ago, where he placed fourth in the Hollywood Derby (G1T). The Del Mar Mile was the gelding's first stakes win. SHARP SAMURAI edged out GRECIAN FIRE by a nose for second.
$1 Million TVG Pacific Classic (G1)
QUIP took the lead to start with HIGHER POWER stalking just off the rail. QUIP set fractions of :23.68 and :47.69 while MONGOLIAN GROOM sat back in third.
QUIP dueled briefly after six furlongs with HIGHER POWER before HIGHER POWER was able to angle out and cut a path between horses as the field entered the far turn. Getting his nose out front, he turned on the speed and created a two length distance between himself and the field in an impressive march to the finish line. DRAFT PICK and MONGOLIAN GROOM fought hard to catch him, but just didn't have the speed taking second and third respectively.
The 4-year-old colt earned himself a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The Pacific Classic was only his second Grade 1 start. SEEKING THE SOUL, who won his berth in the Classic back in June after winning the Stephen Foster Stakes finished seventh. Jockey Johnny Velazquez said, "He didn't try at all. No effort. I just don't get it. I just don't know why. Nothing. Very disappointing."
Del Mar Oaks (G1)
RAYMUNDO'S SECRET took the early lead, holding it through the start of the second turn. HIDDEN MESSAGE tracked the pacesetter through the second turn. Coming at the top of the stretch HIDDEN MESSAGE pressured RAYMUNDO'S SECRET, but from the outside of the pack came CAMBIER PARC with impressive speed taking the win by 1 1/4 lengths with a final time of 1:46.75 on firm turf.
HIDDEN MESSAGE finished second a half-length ahead of LADY PRANCELOT. CAMBIER PARC won the June 6th Wonder Again Stakes (G3T) and the March 2nd Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T). She picked up her first G1 win with the July 6th Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T).
Torrey Pines Stakes (G3)
With a clean and easy break, FIGHTING MAD went to the front to set the pace followed by INTO CHOCOLATE and KIM K, setting fractions of :23.29 and :46.98 through the half.
At the turn for home, FIGHTING MAD went for home followed by INTO CHOCOLATE chasing. INTO CHOCOLATE can't catch up and HOLLYWOOD HILLS makes a late push to take second followed by INTO CHOCOLATE. The win by FIGHTING MAD gave jockey Joe Talamo his second stakes win of the day.
Green Flash Handicap (G3T)
MR VARGAS went to the lead, running fractions of :22.44 and :44.35. EDDIE HASKELL, the 6-5 favorite, was second and followed by STORMY LIBERAL, winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The pair threatened him at the top of the turn, but MR VARGAS never gave up his lead, instead opening up and taking the win in :56.15. EDDIE HASKELL and STORMY LIBERAL held on for second and third respectively still fighting hard down the stretch.
Have a great week!
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