Toews on Ice makes it three straight in game fashion, speed plays well on both ovals at Del Mar

There was a single graded race during the week at Del Mar.   

Bob Hope S. (G2): Watson Weitman and Pegram’s TOEWS ON ICE (Archarcharch) made it three straight stakes wins with a 1 ¼-length tally under the guidance of Martin Garcia. The two-year-old colt was all heart, re-rallying to the lead after being headed by the runner-up in the stretch, and finished off seven furlongs in 1:22 1/5 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held at the seaside racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while three of the 10 grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (30 percent).

Speed was solid on both ovals this past week, especially on the dirt with seven leading at every call and several others being in the mix early on. Of the seven wire-to-wire winners on the main oval, six of those occurred in sprint runs.

The lawn also yielded a trio of front-end winners, all of which came in route races. Horses forwardly placed had good success from 10 grassy tries this past week.

Meet Totals

Races:		102
Dirt:		66
Turf:		36
Favorites:		43 (42%)
2nd Choices:		15 (15%)
Turf Wire:		6 (17%)
Dirt Wire:		18 (27%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (11/12)

1^ST – SEATTLE SERENADE (Smart Strike) confronted the leader near midstretch and wore him down in posting a fine debut score for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The sophomore colt, a $1 million purchase, is bred to run longer and appears to have a bright future ahead of him.

STATESMAN (Candy Ride) was more than 11 lengths clear of third in a sharp runner-up try and won’t be a maiden for long for trainer Cliff Sise.

3^RD – Trainer Paddy Gallagher doesn’t win much first time out so when SWEET QUEEN (Twirling Candy) led throughout and pulled away late, we surely took notice. The two-year-old filly probably won’t be in for a tag next time.

7^TH – Peter Miller’s ultra-consistent RICHARD’S BOY (Idiot Proof) took the lead in early stretch and powered home a decisive winner in this turf dash. The three-year-old gelding almost always fires and this might be his best scenario, sprinting on the turf.

Friday (11/13)

6TH – DIAL A DATE (Artie Schiller) tracked a bit off the pace and put in a fine late run to be third in a good debut performance for conditioner Carla Gaines. The four-year-old filly was beaten just a pair of heads while clear of her nearest foe and will be a major player with any improvement next time out.

Saturday (11/14)

4TH – Trainer Phil d’Amato’s RADIANT JOURNEY (Good Journey) was passed in late stretch but gamely responded and inched clear to a half-length tally under David Lopez. The four-year-old filly came home fairly quickly and will be tough in her subsequent run with a forward move.

9^TH – DREFONG (Gio Ponti) showed big improvement, taking the early lead and leaving no doubt in a superb 9 ½-length maiden romp for Baffert. The expensive two-year-old was getting strong as the race progressed and looks like a real nice prospect into 2016.

Sunday (11/15)

2ND – DRESSED TO A T (Square Eddie) rated behind a slow pace but still closed best of all to be a nice winner second time out. The Ben Cecil trainee has run a pair of big ones to kick off her career and could turn out to be a very useful one with more seasoning.

7^TH – SWEET HALORY (Hold Me Back) pressed the pace to midstretch, gained a small edge and held sway late en route to a nice first-out victory. The two-year-old miss didn’t beat a great field but was game in doing so and could develop into a fine sophomore performer for Doug O’Neill.

A Look Ahead

The $100,000 Red Carpet S. (G3) on Saturday will highlight the weekend stakes action at Del Mar.