Pretty N Cool scores easy win in Sorrento

Pretty N Cool was favored at 2-5 to win Wednesday’s $200,250 Sorrento S. (G2) at Del Mar, and the Scat Daddy filly easily lived up to those expectations.

Pretty N Cool tracked well behind early pacesetter Undisputed as that filly set opening splits of :22.24 and :45.59. The gray miss ranged up to Undisputed’s outside nearing the turn and sailed on past. She continued extending her margin to four lengths before being wrapped up and crossing under the wire 2 3/4 lengths in front.

Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard the Bob Baffert pupil, and the duo put together another effortless victory following a 4 1/2-length maiden debut score on July 19.

The Sorrento didn’t set up to be a walkover, as it originally included a pair of stakes winners and other dominant scorers. It lost two due to scratches, including one of the stakes winners in Sooner Time, but that shouldn’t take away from Pretty N Cool’s comfortable triumph.

The Sorrento winner finished 6 1/2 furlongs on the fast main track in 1:16.94 and was followed under the wire by Gomo, the only filly in the field with experience past 5 1/2 furlongs.

That came when Gomo broke her maiden by 5 1/2 lengths going a mile over Santa Anita Park’s turf course on June 25. Her second here as the 19-1 longest shot in the field could indicate a return to the main track for the Doug O’Neill charge.

Gomo could get her shot at Pretty N Cool again if both line-up in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) on September 5. The Sorrento is the traditional local prep for that seven-furlong affair.

Pretty N Cool photo courtesy of Benoit Photos

Quotes:

MARTIN GARCIA (Pretty N Cool, winner) – “She broke right out of there, then the ground came out from under her. But she recovered right away. I saw how fast that filly up front was going (Undisputed) and I didn’t want to go with her, so I took a hold. I can do what I want with this filly. When I asked her she went to the front. I stayed busy on her. She needed this race. It’ll set her up for her next one. She’s going to be a really good filly.”

MARIO GUTIERREZ (Gomo, second) – “Good race for her; I’m very happy with her effort. I know my filly will run a mile. She’ll run on.”

TYLER BAZE (One True Kiss, third) – “She ran well. We have to be pleased. And she’s crying out for two turns. That’ll be right up her alley.”

BOB BAFFERT (Pretty N Cool, winner) – “We thought that she could run and she’s shown it. I liked what she did today. That one horse (Undisputed) must have bolted. She was going pretty fast. But Martin (Garcia) knew what he was doing. He got her settled and then she came running.”