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Del Mar week 5 stakes recaps (Aug. 18-19)
By Jarrod Horak
This week’s Del Mar stakes report is very short. Three stakes races were originally scheduled, but the Sunday card was cancelled and that program was supposed to feature the Solana Beach Stakes. No word yet on a new date for that race. Anisette was the big performer of the week after an impressive late running tally in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks.
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CTT and TOC – August 18 – 1 3/8 miles turf
The turf course was very friendly to off the pace types on this card. The temporary rail was set at 30 feet. A couple of longshots showed the way early through splits of 25.79, 50.69, and 1:15.78. They reached a mile in 1:40.65 and Paris Peacock (IRE) maintained the edge over Myfavoritedaughter, but the whole complexion would change in the stretch. Neige Blanche (FR) was working out a comfortable stalking trip and my top choice Eylara (IRE) was making her move, but defending champ Sister Otoole ($12.60) passed them all under Antonio Fresu and won by a length and a quarter. Eylara landed the place and Neige Blanche was third. Paris Peacock weakened to fourth and was followed by Symphony Perfect (IRE), Myfavoritedaughter, and a very disappointing Queen Ofthe Temple. The final time was 2:17.45 and Graham Motion was the winning trainer.
Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks – August 19 – 1 1/8 miles turf
Ruby Nell tried to steal this on the front end. She went out in 23.84 and 47.21. The first interior fraction was 23.37 and that was just too fast. She was four lengths in front at this point. Big Pond was cutting into the margin and Infinite Diamond was in third after six panels in 1:11.92. Impact Warrior (IRE) stalked inside and Be Your Best (IRE) stalked outside. Anisette (GB) was 80 cents on the dollar and the late striding filly was 10th and last for at least six furlongs. She started to advance around the final turn and into the stretch, and was just waiting for running room. She was full of run in the lane under Umberto Rispoli, and once she found clear sailing, she kicked away and scored by 2 3/4 lengths. Be Your Best landed the place by a neck over my value top choice Impact Warrior, and Ruby Nell weakened to fourth. Infinite Diamond was 5th and she finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of Window Shopping. And Tell Me Nolies, Absolutely Zero, and Big Pond were next, and Paris Secret (IRE) broke slow from post 10, and eased in the lane and walked off. Leonard Powell was the winning trainer and the final time was 1:48.15, and the winner paid $3.60. I would like to see Anisette ship to Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Check out all of the Del Mar stakes recaps each week!
Del Mar week 1 stakes recaps (July 21-23)
Del Mar week 2 stakes recaps (July 27-30)