Del Mar Stakes Recaps for Friday (8-21-20)
Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) – Winner: Sneaking Out ($5.60)
Sneaking Out was much the best as the favorite. She dueled with Artistic Diva, Mother of Dragons, and Amuse, and the latter tried to go with her but couldn’t, and the chalk easily prevailed by almost four lengths. Amuse gamely chased the winner and started to get tired late, but had just enough left to hold 2nd by a nose over Gingham and Unique Factor. Those three were clear of Mucho Amor, and it really got strung out from there. Mother of Dragons was next, and Into Chocolate and Artistic Diva trailed.
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Del Mar Stakes Recaps for Saturday (8-22-20)
Green Flash Handicap (G3) – Winner: Chaos Theory ($5.60)
Recent claim Chaos Theory captured this one as the chalk for Hronis Racing, John Sadler, and Umberto Rispoli. Mikes Tiznow took off early as expected, and Torosay and Baja Sur chased him throughout. Chaos Theory was in a good stalking spot in 4th, and he rolled down the middle in the stretch to score by a length. Baja Sur nipped Torosay and Mikes Tiznow for 2nd, and Mesut, Sparky Ville, and Irish Heatwave trailed.
Torrey Pines (G3) – Winner: Harvest Moon ($5.00)
There were some promising fillies in this flat mile affair. Secret Keeper and Provocation scrimmaged early, and the former filly got the advantage with two furlongs to go. Harvest Moon sat behind the top two and was a fresh challenge turning for home. Secret Keeper would not go away but Harvest Moon had more left in the drive and scored by a length and a quarter. Secret Keeper did all the pace dirty work and was clearly second best in a fine effort. Paige Anne raced evenly in 3rd and Aurelia Garland checked in behind her. Provocation weakened to 5th and 30-1 outsider Sheza Girly Girl trailed throughout.
Del Mar Handicap (G2) – Winner: Red King ($10.60)
Umberto Rispoli made all the difference in this eleven furlong turf affair. Big Buzz was in front early, and North County Guy, Combatant, and Ward ’n Jerry were in close pursuit. Strong favorite United was saving ground behind the leading group and biding his time in 5th place under Prat. Rispoli made a decisive wide early move aboard Red King, and he went from 8th to first in a few blinks of the eye. United was still inside and his position was unchanged. Red King got the jump and United angled out and was slowly gaining on him. In the end, Red King held on by a head over United, and Originaire was late on the scene for 3rd. Proud Pedro was 4th, and Oscar Domingues and Another Mystery were next. North County Guy, Ward ’n Jerry, Combatant, Big Buzz, and New Year completed the order of finish.
Del Mar Oaks (G1) – Winner: Red Lark ($40.20)
The pace was contested in this nine furlong turf route with Aqua Seaform Shame, Laura’s Light, and Parkour mixing it up early. Laura’s Light pushed to the fore at the six furlong mark, but her stamina was always questionable, and she passed the baton to Warren’s Showtime. The latter briefly pushed clear, but Red Lark was closing fast and scored by a length over late striding longshot California Kook. The latter was motoring late and got past Warren’s Showtime in deep stretch. Neige Blanche was striding nicely late and ended up 4th. She probably wants more ground. Carpe Vinum was next, followed by Laura’s Light, Guitty, Parkour, Miss Extra, and Aqua Seaform Shame.
Pacific Classic (G1) – Winner: Maximum Security ($2.80)
This should not have been this easy for Maximum Security. Midcourt took it to him in the San Diego Handicap (G2) last month and missed by a nose in an excellent effort. In this race, Midcourt was inexplicably taken off the pace from the inside post, and Maximum Security had a very easy, uncontested lead through moderate fractions. Turf router Sharp Samurai applied token pressure to the early leader, but Maximum Security was too classy for him, and he kicked clear in the lane to score by three lengths. Sharp Samurai was clearly second best, and Midcourt nipped Higher Power for the show. It was a long way back to Mirinaque and Dark Vader. Maximum Security has gotten some very favorable setups vs. less than stellar foes throughout his career.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-22-20)
DMR 1 Princess Noor/Flash Magic Quinella ($4.60)
DMR 2 Li’l Grazen/Anna Fantastic Exacta ($2.80)
DMR 3 CHAOS THEORY (DMR Best Bet #1, $5.60)
Double (races 2-3, $6.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $5.40)
Double (races 3-4,$12.20)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $6.15)
DMR 5 Lane Way/Comradery Quinella ($12.00), Trifecta ($36.05)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $12.35)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $22.30)
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $75.05)
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Del Mar Stakes Recaps for Sunday (8-23-20)
Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) – Winner: Mo Forza ($4.40)
Mo Forza returned running to say the least. The pace players were nowhere at the end of this flat mile turf affair. Dreams of Valor and Kiwi’s Dream opened up on the competition early, and Bombard and Gailiean chased them. Restrainedvengeance and Mo Forza were in midpack for much of the running. The early leaders started to get tired approaching the stretch and Mo Forza moved inside and spurted away to a sharp 4-1/4 length victory under Prat. Restrainedvengeancejust held 2nd over late runner Royal Ship. The latter was a Brazilian import making his first start in more than six months for Richard Mandella. Bob and Jackie was 4th and Galilean was 5th, and behind them were Overdue, Bombard, Kiwi’s Dream, and Dream of Valor.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (8-23-20)
DMR 3 CLASSY RULER ($10.60)
Double (races 2-3, $32.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $11.35)
DMR 7 WORTHY TURK (DMR Best Bet #3, $8.20)
Double (races 6-7, $78.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $111.70)
DMR 8 NEEDLESS TO SAY ($5.00)
Double (races 7-8, $58.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $101.10)
Double (races 8-9, $13.80)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $30.55)
DMR 10 EXPRESS TRAIN ($9.00), Quinella ($15.20)
Double (races 9-10, $15.80)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $25.35)
Article by Jarrod Horak
