Horses to Watch: Countess Rosina is Next in Line

Del Mar – November 22, 2022

By Turfdom

LUKA GRAZIE (November 18) Two year old gelding for Peter Miller made start #4 in lieu of his diploma in Friday’s opener, a maiden special weight event at a mile on the turf. Off at 6/5 and getting a lot of play late on the board, he missed the start and was away last. Prat took him right to the fence and he was last early, 8 lengths off the pace into the clubhouse turn. The winner went wire to wire with slow to moderate fractions and this son of Boisterous had no chance with the race shape. He rallied for second in the lane and was beaten a length and a half at the wire. He’s a soon winner with a clean break and a fair pace scenario.

• KRAHENBUHL (November 18) Three year old colt for Luis Mendez ran a monster race on Friday after two seconds in his 1^st two starts. Bet well early, he went off at 7/2 in just a five horse field. He broke running under Maldonado and then was taken in hand down the back side lying third, 3 lengths off the pace. He was asked for run at the 3/8 pole, glided up to the leaders pretty much on his own, then went right on by without being asked, opened up by three quickly, and waltzed on home to win by 8 and geared down the final 50 yards. It was a huge performance over two Baffert runners and a good Miller gelding. Up the ladder for this $20,000 bargain buy at the Keeneland yearling sale.  
• SEAL TEAM (November 19) Two year old colt for Richard Mandella made his debut on Saturday at 5/8 on the turf in a maiden special weight event. Off at 7/2 in a field of 9, he lacked early speed but was within striking reach of the leaders, just 4 lengths back. He made a wide bold move at the ¼ pole, circled the field, but the favorite was gone and got the jump on him. He rallied for second beaten three at the wire. He is bred to go long and Mandella seldom fires with debut runners anyways. He’s a soon winner for this Hall of Fame conditioner.
• COUNTESS ROSINA (November 19) Three year old filly for Jeff Mullins is all race horse. She tried the second allowance condition on Saturday at 5/8 on the turf against older runners and was most impressive. Off at 5/2 under Berrios in a 7 horse field, she broke OK and then settled in off the pace from the rail slot about six lengths back of the leaders. The pace was not quick as they went 22.63 and 45 flat for the half. Berrios kept her on the rail and she found her best stride at the 1/8 pole and sizzled the final ¼ in 22.56 to get up and win by a length. This Irish bred is best as a late running sprinter but she won the first allowance condition going long. She is ready for a stakes up at Arcadia when the winter meet begins and can handle any of their sprint turf distances. Up the ladder.
• CAROLE LOMBARD (November 20) Two year old filly for Phil D’Amato made start #2 on Sunday in a Cal bred maiden special weight event at a mile on the lawn. Off at 5/2 and the 2^nd choice in the wagering, she was bumped around at the start, then settled in third into the clubhouse turn and down the back side. She went after the leaders at the top of the lane, surged by the favorite at the 1/8 pole, and pulled away to win by two and a half at the wire. This was her first time going two turns and she found her hole card for D’Amato. She will have no trouble with the first Cal bred allowance condition for the top grass sire Grazen. Up the ladder.