The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)UNBEATEN STARRY ICE HEADS FIELD OF 10 FOR DEL MAR DEBUTANTE
Featuring undefeated Starry Ice, a field of 10, including an entry, is expected to go postward in today's Grade II, $250,000-guaranteed Del Mar Debutante, the seaside track's premier race for 2-year-old fillies. The race will be run at 7 furlongs, and the winner's portion of the purse is $150,000
AFTER TESTING THE BEST, STUTE MARE MAKES WINNING CONNECTION
In his finest happy-go-lucky style, trainer Mel Stute reported this morning that Real Connection, who had been winless in 12 starts this year, came out of Saturday's victory in the $104,900 Osunitas Handicap at Del Mar in excellent shape.
Stute indicated the 5-year-old daughter of Vigors might run back in the seaside course's Grade II, $125,000-added Palomar Handicap on Sept. 7, the final Saturday race card in the track's 43-day meeting.
Real Connection, overlooked by the bettors at $11.40 to $1, had run in three consecutive Grade I races, taking on such bears as Different, Bail Out Becky, Jewel Princess, Serena's Song, Matiara and Alpride. "That's why I thought that price was way too high on her," Stute said. Her winning share of $64,900 runs her 1996 payroll to a remarkable $221,609 with only one victory. Three seconds and two thirds helped her purse earnings prior to Saturday's victory.
The jovial Stute, who had instructed jockey Goncalino Almeida to stay tucked on the rail for as long as he could, said, "My owner was getting pretty anxious at the five sixteenths pole."
The trainer hailed the ride by Almeida. "It was a picture," he said.
WINS BY BAFFERT MOVES HIM UP, UNCOVER TWO NICE 2-YEAR-OLDS
Trainer Bob Baffert registered two victories on Saturday to move into a tie for second place in the trainer standings with Jenine Sahadi. They both have 10 victories, and trail five-time training champion Mike Mitchell by one win.
Not only did the victories move Baffert up the trainer ladder, they also introduced two promising 2-year-olds to the winner's circle. Baffert won the third race with Clever Princess, a Clever Trick filly owned by Donald Dizney, and the sixth with Silver Charm, a Silver Buck colt owned by Robert and Beverly Lewis.
"I was very impressed with colt," Baffert said. "I've always been pretty high on him, but he showed me more yesterday than he ever has. He's bred for distance, but he has a lot of speed, too. I'll start him next in the [Del Mar] Futurity."
The Futurity, a Grade II, $250,000-guaranteed event, will be run for the 49th time on September 11, the final day of the meeting. The race will be run at 7 furlongs.
As for the filly, Baffert said, "She's real small. Her first race, she was a little slow, got shuffled back and then ran on. She's kind of small and immature, so we're not going to rush her."
ALEX SOLIS ENJOYS FIRST TRIP TO SARATOGA, ESPECIALLY URBANE'S WIN
Jockey Alex Solis had to be wondering what kind of reception he'd receive as got a leg up on the fine filly Urbane in the paddock at Saratoga Racecourse on Friday. After all, it was he who rode Dare And Go past Cigar in the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic August 10 at Del Mar to end the 1995 Horse of the Year's winning streak at 16.
"I was really impressed with the people," Solis said. "They were very nice to me. They really appreciate racing there, a lot like it is here at Del Mar. It's a beautiful place and I liked it a lot. It was my first time there."
Solis praised the training job done on Urbane by Randy Bradshaw. "Randy has found the key to the filly," Solis said. "She is much more willing to do the things you want her do."
THREE SMALL STAKES HIGHLIGHT WEEK LEADING TO BIG WEEKEND
The Relaunch Stakes, for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf, headlines Monday's race program at Del Mar. It's the first of three small added-money events during the week that will pave the way for the Labor Day weekend's trio of Grade II stakes - the $250,000-guaranteed Del Mar Handicap on Saturday, the $300,000-added Chula Vista on Sunday and the $300,000-guaranteed Del Mar Derby on Monday, Labor Day.
The Relaunch, with a purse of $76,100 and a winner's share of $46,100, will provide the first start in five months for Odyle, who was a promising Triple Crown prospect until an injury sidelined him. He'll carry high weight of 119 pounds, including Corey Nakatani. Odyle, who was already stakes-placed twice, broke his maiden by eight lengths February 18 at Santa Anita and then returned to capture the San Felipe before the injury.
Testing Odyle will be Defleet, 115, with Rene Douglas up; Really Sovereign, 114, Chris McCarron; Hectic, 114, Brice Blanc; E C's Dream, 114, Patrick Valenzuela; Take A Left, 117, Eddie Delahoussaye; and Vieux Moulin, 115, Kent Desormeaux.
On Wednesday, a field of five will go in the How Now Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The gross purse is $70,725, with $42,725 going to the winner.
Heading the field is the multiple-stakes-winning Nonproductiveasset, who will carry top weight of 120 pounds, including Rene Douglas. Challenging the Wallace Dollase trainee will be Adams Trail, 116, with Chris Antley in the irons; Golden Post, 115, Eddie Delahoussaye; Cocooning, 110, Victor Espinoza; and Traces of Gold, 111, Corey Nakatani.
On Thursday, the $70,000-added Inverness Drive Stakes will be run. The stakes, for 3-year-olds, has drawn 10 nominations, including a possible Bob Baffert- trained entry of Argonnier and Houseafire.
Also on the list of nominees is Future Quest, the VHW Stables' winner of the 1995 Del Mar Futurity. Other nominees include Academyawardwinner, Afleetaffair, Cantbetouched, Go Bux, Island Caper, Roar and Tahoe City.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)