Stellar Wind wins impressively; speed strong on Del Mar main track

A single graded race headlined the weekend at Del Mar Race Course.

Torrey Pines S. (G3): Hronis Racing’s STELLAR WIND (Curlin) took the lead approaching the turn for home and cruised home a facile 4 ¼-length winner under the guidance of Victor Espinoza. The standout sophomore filly endured one mile on the fast main oval in 1:36 2/5 for trainer John Sadler.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 races held at the Southern California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 53 percent of the wins.

From 30 frays contested on the dirt oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (37 percent), while two of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).

For the second straight week the main oval was kind to speed runners. This was surely the best week for wire-to-wire winners here and we might try and ride the trend into this week, especially early on. Of the 11 who led at every call, nine came in the sprints and the other pair in route events.

Meet Totals

 

RACES:		299
DIRT:		205
TURF:		94
FAVORITES:		90 (30%)
2ND CHOICES:		62 (21%)
TURF WIRE:		14 (15%)
DIRT WIRE:		47 (23%)

 

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/26)

3RD – NIGHTLY NEWS (Misremembered) was wide throughout in this debut at a mile on the main oval but still closed with good energy to be a clear second in a race we liked a lot. The gelding juvenile should have gotten a lot out of this and be very tough in his comeback assignment.

6^TH – Ron Ellis’ WORLDWIDE (Big Brown) chased the winner every step of the way and while he could not reel that one in, the sophomore colt finished a clear second and we’d imagine he won’t be a maiden for long with more showings like this one.

Thursday (8/27)

2ND – JADE PRINCESS (Tapit) rated off a slow pace before taking command in the lane, registering a very nice maiden tally for conditioner Bob Baffert. The well-bred filly showed big improvement and could have a real nice future with this type of improvement going forward.

8^TH – BUSSJAEGER (Misremembered) was could not catch the early leader (who led at every call), but the juvenile colt responded to the class drop in a big way finishing 18 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. The Baffert trainee surely fits well at this level and will be very tough if he comes back with similar.

Friday (8/28)

3RD – DESERT STEELE (Desert Code) got the jump and never looked back in posting a powerful 3 ¾-length win under Flavien Prat. The Simon Callaghan trainee has now been ultra sharp in winning a pair of races in succession sprinting on Del Mar’s turf and could evolve into a stakes type with the recent progression.

6^TH – PATRIOTIC DIAMOND (Hat Trick) returns to this list after posting another big closing run, this time bagging a stakes in the process. The Patrick Biancone trainee has been precocious and might be a good one with more seasoning.

Saturday (8/29)

5TH – OIL (Tribal Rule) proved the move to the green would pose little problem, leading at every call en route to a solid tally for conditioner Peter Miller. The consistent four-year-old runs well on anything and is one to always watch with his form and early speed.

8^TH – One of many winners this week for Jerry Hollendorfer, WHO’S OUT (Tale of Ekati) left little doubt with a daylight tally under the wire. The Kentucky-bred juvenile colt overcame a duel and really looked the part late after burning a lot of money in an unplaced debut offering.

Sunday (8/30)

3^RD – BIG BOOK (Mr. Big) ran well in second in a first career setback, but she also proved that she is for real for trainer Tim Yakteen. The stakes vixen was well clear of third and also proved she can run two turns.

7^TH – HUNT (Dark Angel) got off slow and was left with a lot to do, but the Euro import showed very good energy to be second and could have a bright future in the U.S. Tab the sophomore from the Phil d’Amato barn a winner next time if placed with similar.

A Look Ahead

Clsing weekend is already upon us at Del Mar. Saturday will host the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1), the Sunday card will be topped by the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2) and $200,000 Yellow Ribbon H. (G2), while the closing Monday feature will be the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1).