Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Del Mar Stable Notes 9-5-07—CLOSING DAY

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Contact: Dan Smith 858-792-4226/Gene Williams 858-755-1141 ext. 3793


DAY 43

FUTURITY SERVES AS SPRINGBOARD TO RACING, BREEDING FAME


Many chances at fame await the 13 males going to the gate for today's Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Futurity.

The winner, of course, gets to wear the Grade I tag, plus $150,000 as his part of the purse. The 7-furlong victory also puts him in line to be a favorite for Oak Tree at Santa Anita's Grade I Norfolk Stakes, Sunday, September 30, and a shot at the $2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Monmouth Park October 27, where two have triumphed.

Further fame beckons for the winner as the years go on, perhaps as a Kentucky Derby winner, of which there have been three; Preakness winner, three; Dubai World Cup winner, another pair, and several who have gone on to become major stallions.

The Kentucky Derby winners are Tomy Lee, who won the 1958 Futurity and the '59 Derby; Gato del Sol, winner of the 1981 Futurity and the following year's Derby, and Silver Charm, winner of the 1996 Futurity and '97 Kentucky Derby. The year before Silver Charm's Futurity win, an inconspicuous Cavonnier finished third in the Futurity and was beaten by the barest of noses by Grindstone in the '96 Run for the Roses.

Silver Charm turned out to be perhaps the most accomplished of the Futurity winners by also capturing the 1997 Preakness Stakes, the 1998 Dubai World Cup and finishing second in the '98 Breeders' Cup Classic, as well as winning a Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup. The big gray was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame this year.

The first of the Preakness winners coming out of the Futurity was Royal Orbit, who was second to Tomy Lee in 1958 before winning the Preakness Stakes in 1959. Then came Snow Chief, who finished third in the 1985 Futurity, and took the next year's Preakness. Another Futurity third-placer destined to win at Pimlico was Timber Country, who parlayed a third in the 1994 Futurity into a win in the 1995 Preakness. Timber Country also won the '94 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and an Eclipse Award as top juvenile of the year.

Warfare, who was third in the 1959 Futurity, went on to be named 2-year-old champion that year.

The Futurity sent out two more Dubai World Cup winners in Captain Steve in 2001 and Street Cry in 2002. Neither won their Futurity, Captain Steve was third in 1999 and Street Cry second in 2000.

Best Pal and Bertrando were other Futurity winners that accomplished quite a bit, also. The 1990 winner, Best Pal, went on to finish second in the '91 Kentucky Derby before winning the inaugural $1-million Pacific Classic that summer. The gelding finished third in 1993 and second in '94 in Del Mar's signature event. He also won a Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup.

Bertrando had the misfortune of running into the spectacular Arazi in the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile after winning that year's Futurity. He was second in the Juvenile. The California-bred was second in the 1993 Breeders' Cup Classic and won that year's Pacific Classic.

Tasso became the first Futurity winner to double up with a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, turning the trick in 1985 at Aqueduct. Stevie Wonderboy pulled off the Futurity-Juvenile double in 2005. Posting juvenile Eclipse Award honors are Futurity winners Roving Boy in 1982, Tasso, Declan's Moon in 2004 and Stevie Wonderboy. Warfare was named 2-year-old champion before Eclipse Awards were made.

The filly, Sacahuista, was second to Qualify in the 1986 Futurity, and won the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1987.

Serving as major stallions are these Futurity winners and others who have finished in the money: Bertrando, Silver Charm, Officer, Street Cry, Dixie Union, Swiss Yodeler and Old Topper. Dixie Union is the sire of Dixie Chatter in today's Futurity field.

The 1949 Futurity winner, Your Host, was the 8-5 favorite in the 1950 Kentucky Derby only to finish ninth behind Middleground. But he made quite a name for himself later as sire of the spectacular Kelso, five-time Horse of the Year who set or equaled 15 track records and finished his career with a record of 39 wins, 12 seconds and two thirds from 63 starts.


TRAINER RACE COMES DOWN TO WIRE; BAZE TOPS RIDER RANKS


The competition for the trainer title has come down to the last day of Del Mar's 43-day campaign, but it could be settled quickly, as in the first race. That's when Jeff Mullins, who is four wins behind leader Doug O'Neill, sends out Stylin Cat, as the first of four entered by him.

A win keeps things alive, a loss closes out the race for O'Neill, who goes into the day with 23 wins to 19 for Mullins. Mullins, who won the 2005 title, is four wins clear of six-time trainer titlist Mike Mitchell.

The jockey race has been cut and dried for weeks as 20-year-old Michael Baze won going away. As the meet's final day dawned Baze had a 48-35 lead over runner-up Joe Talamo, a 17-year-old whiz who finished right behind Baze as 1-2 at the Hollywood Park meeting.

Other major story lines among those in the jockey colony centered on veteran rider -- but first-timer at Del Mar -- Richard Migliore, apprentice Alonso Quinonez and journeyman Tyler Baze.

Migliore swept to a huge upset victory in the Grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic aboard Student Council for trainer Vladimir Cerin, and picked up two other stakes victories as he posted 17 wins for the meet and 10th place in the standings. His purse earnings: $1.5 million.

Apprentice Quinonez caused quite a stir with some huge payoffs among his early winners. He came to closing day with a solid top 10 finish, tying for seventh in the standings with Aaron Gryder and Tyler Baze, each with 18 victories.

Tyler Baze, who suffered through a dismal winter-spring meet at Santa Anita and took a break from riding until late in the Hollywood Park, showed a revitalized effort during the Del Mar campaign.

Baze had this to say about the turnaround that put him in the tie for seventh in the rider standings: "I took some time off, and I'm talking better care of myself, which is sometimes hard to do. I needed that break. I was getting pretty sour."

Positive thinking was a part, too, he said. "Everything is good now," he said. "Ronnie [agent Ron Ebanks] is working hard and I'm working my rear off in the mornings and in the afternoons. I feel strong and I feel good. I'm looking forward to a great windup here and a big meet at Pomona [Fairplex Park]."

Baze credits working with a nutritionist as a part of his revival. "I'm learning to eat the right things," he said.


TRAINER PETER MILLER STILL SMILING AFTER FIRST GRADE I WIN


It was a work day like any other work day for Peter Miller Wednesday morning, but there was a bit of a smile on his face that told volumes about how he felt in the afterglow of his first victory in a Grade I race, Monday's romping win by 2-year-old filly Set Play in the Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Debutante.

"I haven't come down quite yet," the trainer said, as he petted his big winner as she stuck her head out of the stall. "She came back in great shape. I think she wants to go to New Jersey."

A New Jersey stop at Monmouth Park for the $2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies October 27 would suit him just fine, too, he said. But first he knows he has to keep his filly sound and is looking ahead, first, to the Oak Leaf Stakes at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting. That Grade I race will be run Saturday, September 29.

The win in the Debutante was the first in that race for jockey Brice Blanc, but marked his third Grade I win at the seaside. The French-born rider sent Famous Digger to victory in the 1997 Del Mar Oaks and won the 2000 Ramona Handicap with Caffe Latte.

TRAKUS FACTS -- Mon., 9/3 -- Peak Speed -- Race 3 (Polytrack) -- Shake and Roll -- 44.2 mph (first eighth); Race 10 (turf) -- Sir Lowery -- 42 mph (first eighth); Fastest Late Stretch Run -- Race 6 (Polytrack) -- Celtic Sword -- 35.8 mph (final 16th); Race 10 (turf) -- Push Sand -- 39.5 mph (final 16th).


DEL MAR COMBINED JOCKEY & TRAINER STATISTICS

Current Through Monday, September 3, 2007


Jockey -- Mts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
Michael Baze -- 276 -- 48 -- 37 -- 43 -- 17% -- $2,489,996
Joseph Talamo -- 265 -- 35 -- 30 -- 41 -- 13% -- $1,967,810
Victor Espinoza -- 201 -- 31 -- 24 -- 23 -- 15% -- $1,890,356
Martin Garcia -- 169 -- 27 -- 18 -- 19 -- 16% -- $1,004,731
Corey Nakatani -- 135 -- 27 -- 11 -- 13 -- 20% -- $1,680,356
David Flores -- 154 -- 24 -- 33 -- 20 -- 16% -- $1,672,880
Aaron Gryder -- 176 -- 18 -- 19 -- 19 -- 10% -- $1,058,165
Tyler Baze -- 145 -- 18 -- 18 -- 14 -- 12% -- $868,108
Alonso Quinonez -- 154 -- 18 -- 10 -- 17 -- 12% -- $642,356
Richard Migliore -- 143 -- 17 -- 21 -- 16 -- 12% -- $1,561,869

Trainer -- Sts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
Doug F. O'Neill -- 158 -- 23 -- 20 -- 28 -- 15% -- $1,131,767
Jeff Mullins -- 73 -- 19 -- 13 -- 7 -- 26% -- $750,590
Mike R. Mitchell -- 65 -- 15 -- 15 -- 5 -- 23% -- $835,663
John W. Sadler -- 90 -- 13 -- 16 -- 14 -- 14% -- $972,125
Craig Dollase -- 35 -- 11 -- 7 -- 2 -- 31% -- $935,380
Peter Miller -- 52 -- 11 -- 5 -- 5 -- 21% -- $517,787
Bob Baffert -- 59 -- 10 -- 7 -- 9 -- 17% -- $501,538
Art Sherman -- 49 -- 8 -- 6 -- 5 -- 16% -- $373,241
Robert J. Frankel -- 30 -- 8 -- 5 -- 5 -- 27% -- $919,970
Rafael Becerra -- 28 -- 8 -- 4 -- 3 -- 29% -- $326,940


Winning Favorites Report
Current Through Monday, September 3, 2007


Winning favorites -- 115 out of 370 -- 31.08%
Winning odds-on favorites -- 21 out of 41 -- 51.22%
In-the-Money favorites -- 238 out of 370 -- 64.32%
In-the-Money odds-on favorites -- 39 out of 41 -- 95.12%

Night Lead—Del Mar Futurity

Nite Lead Del Mar Futurity


Georgie Boy, Gomez Win Del Mar Futurity


George Schwary's Georgie Boy, with jockey Garrett Gomez traveling from the East for the mount, rallied from out of the clouds today to win the 60th running of the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity on closing day of the 2007 racing season.

Twelfth and next-to-last in the early stages of the seven-furlong dash for two-year-olds, Georgie Boy unleashed a powerful run which propelled him to a half-length triumph in Del Mar's championship contest of the summer for juveniles.

Salute the Sarge, ridden by another East Coast-based rider, Kent Desormeaux, nosed out 2-1 favored Drill Down for second money, with Leonides fourth in the field of 13.

Georgie Boy, a California-bred son of Tribal Rule trained by Kathy Walsh, ran the distance in 1:25.34 over Polytrack and returned $13.60, $6.20 and $3.60. First money of $150,000 increased the colt's lifetime earnings to $286,806 by virtue of two wins in five starts. In his previous race, Georgie Boy was runner-up to Salute the Sarge in the Best Pal Stakes after earlier winning the Graduation Stakes.

In supporting features on the program, Double Action and jockey Michael Baze won the $90,890 Pirate's Bounty Handicap over Relato Del Gato and Fly Dorcego, returning $15.60, and Theverythoughtofu and rider Joe Talamo won the $97,960 C.E.R.F. Handicap over Sindy with an S and Sophie's Trophy, paying $7.60

Today's attendance was 17,069.

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Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Del Mar Stable Notes 9-3-07

Monday, September 3, 2007 Contact: Dan Smith 858-792-4226/Gene Williams 858-755-1141 ext. 3793


DAY 42

BAZE SEALS THE DEAL AS RIDER CHAMP; TRAINERS STILL BATTLING


Michael Baze, with a little help from some scratches on Monday's card, has become, at 20 years old, Del Mar's youngest riding champion since Eclipse Award-winning apprentice Steve Valdez turned the trick in 1973.

Through Sunday's racing, Baze holds a 13-victory advantage over 17-year-old Joe Talamo, 48-35. Going into Monday's penultimate day of racing in the track's 43-day meeting, Talamo still had a long-shot mathematical chance to catch Baze as he was named on 14 horses over the final two days of the meet. However, two of his mounts for Monday were scratched, leaving him with only 12 rides in which to close the 13-win gap.

Baze and Talamo finished 1-2 in the Hollywood Park standings, too, giving Baze his first riding title.

The race for training supremacy is not so cut and dried. Defending champion Doug O'Neill is only three wins -- 21-18 -- ahead of Jeff Mullins, who came with a rush in the late stages at Hollywood Park to tie O'Neill for the title.

O'Neill and Mullins saddle horses in five races, and they will be head to head in three. In two races, O'Neill will run two horses, giving him seven all told in the five races. On Wednesday, O'Neill has six horses entered, in four races, and Mullins has four horses.

Here's the way the trainers shape up Monday:

O'Neill -- Second race: Bro Lo, 4-1; Third: Raingear, 9-2, and Joe's Hot, 5-1; Sixth: Tug o' War, 10-1; Seventh: My Redeemer, 5-1, and Topper Shopper, 7-2; Ninth: Ididntmeantoo, 15-1.

Mullins -- First race: Runforthemoneybaby, 9-5; Second: Mi Rey, 4-1; Sixth: Queen's Image, 5-2; Eighth: Ready More, 9-2; Ninth: Comical Vacation, 4-1.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: From Richard Mandella, kiddingly, on drawing the rail in Wednesday's Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Futurity for Kanan Dume and the far outside for Dixie Chatter in the 13-horse field: "I'll tell my rider on the rail [Victor Espinoza] to put his whip in his right hand and my rider on the outside [Richard Migliore] to put his whip in his left and then beat off anybody getting in between them."


MEDICI CODE, AUGMENT EXIT DEL MAR DERBY IN GOOD ORDER


Both the Del Mar Derby winner -- Medici Code -- and runner-up -- Augment -- were reported in great shape Monday morning by their respective trainers.

Darrell Vienna said of Medici Code: "He came out in good shape. He ate everything up and he did everything he's supposed to do." Vienna said he might look for another derby for the two-time Del Mar winner. There even may be a race on a synthetic surface in the British-bred's future since he has shown an affinity for Polytrack during training hours.

Trainer Patrick Gallagher did not envision Augment being on the lead in the Grade II, $400,000 Del Mar Derby, although he had shown speed in some earlier races before coming from far off the pace to win an optional claiming/allowance race August 9 on the Del Mar grass. "He broke sharp," Gallagher said, "and Migliore [jockey Richard] sort of inherited the lead. So he just went on with it."

He couldn't out-battle Medici Code down the stretch, but he did re-rally and hold off Worldly after that one took a slight lead early in the stretch.

In the $125,000 Torrey Pines Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the main track, winner Seaside Affair was reported in good shape Monday morning by trainer John Sadler. Migliore tracked the early pace with the daughter of Sea of Secrets and then pounced as they hit the stretch, winning by a margin of 4 3/4 lengths.


COMPETITIVE C.E.R.F. 'CAP DRAWS FULL HOUSE; 2006 CHAMP BACK


Vikki's Honor will defend her 2006 victory in the C.E.R.F. Handicap on Wednesday as part of a three-stakes program on Del Mar's closing day.

The race, with a purse of $85,000, will be run for fillies and mare as the seventh event of the day with the field going 6 furlongs on the main track. The 5-year-old mare, trained by Adam Kitchingman, has a sterling record at the beach, having three wins and a third in six outings on the oval. Her third-place finish came in her most recent start, the first of the year. She went to the winner's circle in each of her two outings at Del Mar last year.

Trainer John Sadler's Jump On In, who broke her maiden here last year before finishing fifth in the Del Mar Debutante, will be making her first start since finishing eighth in Santa Anita's Grade I Las Virgenes following a win in the Grade II Santa Ynez.

Catherine's Hope and Ex Caelis both come to the race from Del Mar wins, and Carla Stripes, who had a brilliant two seasons in Argentina before being bought by Sid and Jenny Craig, will try to reprise that form with a win in the C.E.R.F. She finished fourth here August 1 in her first start since March for trainer Ron McAnally.

Rounding out the field: Selvatica, Sindy With an S, True and True, Quick Little Miss, Theverythoughtof U, Sophie's Trophy, Acadia Breeze, Candy Jo and Allswellthatnswell.


DECLAN'S MOON FEATURED AS PIRATE'S BOUNTY DRAWS SIX


Declan's Moon, 2004 juvenile champion but an enigma ever since with only one victory, gets a chance to get back on the winning track Wednesday as he heads a cast of six sprinters in the $85,000 Pirate's Bounty Handicap at 6 furlongs on the main track.

The gelded son of Malibu Moon was last seen in the Grade I Bing Crosby Handicap July 29 where he finished sixth of nine. The Ron Ellis trainee will carry high weight of 118 pounds, including jockey Corey Nakatani.

In to challenge Declan's Moon: Double Action, with Michael Baze; Relato Del Gato, Aaron Gryder; Fly Dorcego, David Flores; Moth Ball, Brice Blanc, and Areyoutalkintome, Martin Garcia.

SHORE LINES -- Jockey Aaron Gryder has been named to replace John Velazquez as rider for E Z's Gentleman in Wednesday's Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Futurity ... There were no winning tickets in Sunday's Pick Six wager, creating a carryover of $251,737. Tickets with five winners out of six paid $3,853 ... Multiple stakes winner Buzzards Bay has been scratched from Monday's Windy Sands Handicap, decreasing the field to six: Al Arz with David Flores; Visa Parade, Michael Baze; Heatseeker, Joe Talamo; Wanna Runner, Tyler Baze; Plug Me In, Alonso Quinonez, and Cimyla, Victor Espinoza ... Del Mar's closing-day fete, Party in the Paddock, will feature a free concert with Super Diamond, with racetrack admission ... Monday's fifth race has been designated Military Appreciation Day with 150 Marines being guests in the Seabiscuit Sky Room of Thoroughbred owners Bob Bone, Scott Guenther, Jim Robinson, Pablo Suarez and Ron Brewer.


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TRAKUS FACTS -- Sun., 9/2 -- Peak Speed -- Race 1 (Polytrack) -- Ghosttrapper -- 43.2 mph (half-mile); Race 9 (turf) -- Medici Code -- 40.2 mph (1 1/16th mile mark); Fastest Late Stretch Run -- Race 6 (Polytrack) -- Street Boss -- 36.6 mph (final 16th); Race 9 (turf) -- Bleu Intense -- 36.8 mph (final 16th).


DEL MAR COMBINED JOCKEY & TRAINER STATISTICS

Current Through Sunday, September 2, 2007


Jockey -- Mts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
Michael Baze -- 267 -- 48 -- 36 -- 41 -- 18% -- $2,449,504
Joseph Talamo -- 259 -- 35 -- 28 -- 40 -- 14% -- $1,893,192
Victor Espinoza -- 194 -- 30 -- 23 -- 22 -- 15% -- $1,801,001
Corey Nakatani -- 134 -- 27 -- 11 -- 13 -- 20% -- $1,679,956
Martin Garcia -- 164 -- 26 -- 18 -- 18 -- 16% -- $929,871
David Flores -- 148 -- 24 -- 33 -- 20 -- 16% -- $1,671,060
Aaron Gryder -- 170 -- 18 -- 18 -- 18 -- 11% -- $1,048,685
Tyler Baze -- 135 -- 17 -- 15 -- 13 -- 13% -- $759,014
Alonso Quinonez -- 149 -- 17 -- 10 -- 16 -- 11% -- $615,773
Richard Migliore -- 140 -- 16 -- 21 -- 16 -- 11% -- $1,519,749

Trainer -- Sts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
Doug F. O'Neill -- 151 -- 21 -- 19 -- 27 -- 14% -- $993,819
Jeff Mullins -- 68 -- 18 -- 12 -- 6 -- 26% -- $690,350
Mike R. Mitchell -- 63 -- 15 -- 14 -- 5 -- 24% -- $782,603
John W. Sadler -- 85 -- 13 -- 16 -- 13 -- 15% -- $962,401
Craig Dollase -- 34 -- 11 -- 7 -- 2 -- 32% -- $935,380
Peter Miller -- 48 -- 10 -- 5 -- 4 -- 21% -- $361,267
Bob Baffert -- 57 -- 9 -- 6 -- 9 -- 16% -- $433,464
Art Sherman -- 49 -- 8 -- 6 -- 5 -- 16% -- $373,241
Rafael Becerra -- 28 -- 8 -- 4 -- 3 -- 29% -- $326,940
Robert J. Frankel -- 28 -- 8 -- 3 -- 5 -- 29% -- $890,932


Winning Favorites Report
Current Through Sunday, September 2, 2007


Winning favorites -- 114 out of 360 -- 31.67%
Winning odds-on favorites -- 21 out of 40 -- 52.50%
In-the-Money favorites -- 229 out of 360 -- 63.61%
In-the-Money odds-on favorites -- 38 out of 40 -- 95.00%