Racing! Ride a Comet wins Del Mar Derby

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as it was a scary afternoon at Del Mar.

Before we get to the racing, we have to report there was a shooting just outside the gates on Sunday. According to witnesses, an unidentified man was shooting a gun in a crowded area after he could not buy a ticket to a sold-out Ice Cube concert. He was then shot by at least one deputy. His condition was not immediately known.

The crowd was the second biggest of the season because after the races there was going to be the Ice Cube concert. After the incident, track officials went on with the concert for fear that cancelling it would create bigger problems. It started late because Ice Cube could not get to the track because of the traffic jams caused by the large police presence.

As a journalist, you learn not to report something that is not confirmed. Initially, it was reported that a deputy was shot, which was incorrect. As I was leaving the track, some concert goers told me the concert was cancelled, which was different than what the track said.

All in all, not a good night. My sense of news is to talk about what everyone there will be talking about in the morning. But, my job is to talk about horse racing. Sports can be welcome relief from life. It can have a healing effect, so that’s what I’ll do.

Del Mar awards

The problem with me showing up at Del Mar—besides a 3 ¾-hour drive from near the airport on Saturday—is that Hank Wesch, veteran journalist and author of the Del Mar Stable Notes, puts me to work.

In this case, it was filling in my ballot for the various categories for the Del Mar awards. Clearly, if he were a regular reader of the newsletter he would know I usually don’t know what I’m talking about and I’m king of the “Who goofed, I’ve got to know?” correction category. (No one ever remarks on the thousands of words and phrases I actually get right.)

So, seeing an easy thing to write, I thought I’d share my picks.

Let’s start with Horse of the Meet. That’s easy, all you have to do is remember Accelerate’s devastating, record-breaking win in the Pacific Classic. Now, the rest:

Top Sprinter: Went with Ransom the Moon. He won the Bing Crosby, and beat Roy H, by a strong 2 ¼ lengths going six furlongs.

Top Grass Horse: I was going to give it to River Boyne until he lost in the Del Mar Derby. Instead, Catapult, winner of the Del Mar Handicap and Eddie Read Stakes gets the vote.

Top Older Horse: Why Accelerate, of course, right? Nope, I’m trying to game the system. It would be criminal to not recognize Catalina Cruiser’s big win in the San Diego Handicap. You’ve got a possible Breeders’ Cup Mile winner in this horse, so even though Accelerate is the best older horse, I went this way.

Top Older Filly/Mare: She only ran once this meeting, winning the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, but it was good enough to give my vote to Unique Bella. She was retired recently after suffering a non-life-threatening injury.

Top 3-year-old: Ride a Comet, who shipped in from Woodbine to win the Del Mar Derby, gets the vote in this over River Boyne, who won the La Jolla Handicap.

Top 3-year-old Filly: True Royalty won the Grade 3 Torrey Pines in a category that wasn’t very deep.

Top 2-year-old: Well, my ballot had to be in at the end of racing on Sunday. But, how can you do it without knowing the winner of Monday’s Futurity. So, my ballot says: “Whichever horse wins the Futurity unless it’s Sparky Ville, then make it Instagrand.” Sparky Ville got smoked by Instagrand when they raced and whoever wins on Monday will have won two races at Del Mar.

Top 2-year-old Filly: Bellafina’s convincing win in the Debutante was enough for me. Plus, her trainer, Simon Callaghan, says she’s better than Abel Tasman.

OK, that’s it.

Del Mar review

The big story was Drayden Van Dyke winning the Grade 2 $250,000 Del Mar Derby. Then, two races later he was unseated during the stretch run. He walked to the ambulance and the horse was corralled safely by an outrider, who did a marvelous job of keeping the horse from interfering in the stretch run. All are OK, which makes it a perfect ending. I wrote a story combining the shooting, racing and Van Dyke and you can read it here.

Ride a Comet paid $13.60, $7.00 and $4.00. Kazan was second and River Boyne was third.

I thought Van Dyke sealed the riding title when he won the Del Mar Derby. He has a three-win lead on Flavien Prat going into Monday’s final day. Ride a Comet was a shipper from Canada and New York for Mark Casse. Van Dyke ran a perfect mid-pack trip until the stretch when he let the colt go to win by 1 ½ lengths.

“They told me he was real classy and that he had a nice kick,” Van Dyke said. “That’s all I knew [about him]. He warmed up real well and gave me confidence. During the race it all came up perfect. Good trip all the way.”

The other stakes, the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf, for 2-year-olds going a mile, jockey Gary Stevens won his 100^th stakes race at Del Mar aboard King of Speed. The 2-year-old rallied from fourth at the top of the stretch to win by ¾ of a length.

King of Speed, a longshot picked by our own Rob Henie in his West Coast Handicapping Report, paid $32.20, $9.40 and $5.80. Hartel was second and favorite River Boyne was third. Jeff Bonde is the winning trainer.

“My 100^th stakes win at Del Mar. Wow,” Stevens said.

Stevens said he told Bonde the horse wasn’t responding on dirt and may be better on turf.

“It’s a great feeling to be right about something like this every once in a while,” Stevens said. “He’s a nice colt and he’s found the place where he wants to be.”

Del Mar preview

It’s the final day of the summer meeting and it goes with a 10-race card with two big and one minor stakes race. First post is 2 p.m. There are four turf races.

The big race is the Grade 1 $300,000 Del Mar Futurity for, obviously, 2-year-olds going seven furlongs. There are seven horses who have run a total of 11 races. In fact, for five of the horses this is only their second race. Instagrand would have been the favorite but owner Larry Best elected to not run him and wait for the American Pharoah (formerly FrontRunner) at Santa Anita.

So, Roadster inherits the favorite’s role at 6-5. He won his only race by 4 ¼ but one suspects that the connections of Mike Smith riding a Bob Baffert colt had a lot to do with his odds. The second favorite is Roywaton, who like Instragrand is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and owned by Best. He won his only race by 1 ¾ and is 3-1 on the morning line. If you like to use the “other Baffert” method, he’s got Game Winner, who took his only start by 5 ¾. He’s 4-1. The race goes around 6 p.m.

The other major stakes is the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, which pretty much tells you all you need to know. The race is one mile. The favorite is Summering at 6-5. He won his only start by 5 lengths. He’s trained by Tom Proctor and ridden by Van Dyke. Angel Alessandra is 3-1. After a fifth place on the dirt, she won her only turf appearance for Peter Miller and Prat.

There is one more stakes, the $75,000 C.E.R.F. Stakes for fillies and mares going six furlongs. Miss Sunset is the 7-5 favorite. She is four for four at Del Mar.

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Canterbury (4): $100,000 Northern Lights Debutante Stakes, Minn-bred fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Dangerous Wave ($5.20)

Canterbury (5): $100,000 Northern Lights Futurity, Minn-bred 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Dame Plata ($8.00)

Woodbine (9): $100,000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs on turf. Winner: Wyatt’s Town ($3.30)

Saratoga (10): Grade 2 $250,000 Prioress Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Dream Tree ($5.80)

Louisiana Downs (11): Grade 3 $300,000 Super Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Limation ($54.80)

Ruidoso (10): $175,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, N.M.-bred fillies 2-years-old, 5 ½ furlongs. Winner: African Heat ($8.00)

Del Mar (8): Grade 2 $250,000 Del Mar Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Ride a Comet ($13.60)

Presque Isle Downs (6): $100,000 Mark McDermott Stakes, Penn-bred 2-year-olds. Winner: Delta Express ($6.00)

Del Mar (6): $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf, 2-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Winner: King of Speed ($32.20)

Big races preview

1:04 Parx (8): Grade 3 $200,000 Greenwood Cup, 3 and up, 1 ½ miles. Favorite: War Story (8-5)

1:31 Parx (9): Grade 3 $300,000 Turf Monster Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Imprimis (3-2)

2:02 Saratoga (9): Grade 2 $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Voodoo Song (1-1)

2:38 Saratoga (10): Grade 1 $350,000 Hopeful Stakes, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Mucho (8-5)

2:50 Ruidoso (9): $175,000 Rio Grande Senor Futility, NM-bred 2-year-olds, 5 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Hustle Up (9-5)

3:35 Del Mar (4): $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Summering (6-5)

6:05 Del Mar (9): Grade 1 $300,000 Del Mar Futurity, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Roadster (6-5)

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 5 Colonial Creed (5-2)

Won't be much of a price but looks like a "single" in all rolling bets, coming off her strong runner-up try to Summering (who looks like a short price to win today's 4th race). The Richard Baltas-trained juvenile filly chased that very talented winner before settling for second and looks all set for her maiden victory today.

Sunday’s result: Nice Ice pressed early but then went into reverse in a disappointing performance.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Final thought

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Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results and Monday’s entries.

EDNA prompted the pace four wide on the backstretch and outside a rival on the turn, took the lead leaving the turn, kicked and drifted in a bit under left handed urging and proved best under a late hold. PALLADIUM chased a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out and split horses three deep into the stretch and gained the place late. SIX PACK GAL had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, fought back on the turn, came out a bit approaching midstretch and held third. LAKERBALL broke out a bit, stalked outside on the backstretch and turn, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BABY FRANKIE chased off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. GRAB THE MUNNY sent between horses to press the pace three deep, stalked outside a rival on the turn, found the inside in the stretch and weakened. HANDSOME JOHN prompted the pace between rivals, angled in and stalked inside on the turn and had little left for the drive.

MYRCELLA had good early speed and dueled inside, had the runner-up edged away nearing the stretch, came out into the lane, then angled back to the inside and came back on under left handed urging to get the nod. PALACE PAYNTER broke out onto a rival, dueled outside the winner, inched clear into the stretch, fought back in deep stretch but was outgamed. EMPRESS OF LOV chased between rivals then off the rail, angled to the inside into the stretch, came out some in upper stretch and clearly bested the others. SEA GLASS broke slowly then clipped heels to drop well back, settled off the rail, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. GIRL DRAMA stalked three deep then outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. CHIEFS LIL PEARL close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and gave way.

HEY NEGRITA broke a bit slowly, pulled and steadied early, continued to pull and steadied three times through the first turn, split rivals into the second turn and again leaving that turn, came four wide into the stretch, bid outside in midstretch then alongside the runner-up and inched away late under urging. LUMINOSO chased three deep to the stretch, bid outside the pacesetter to gain the lead in the drive, fought back inside the winner to deep stretch and held second. MIRACULOUSLY a bit slow to begin, chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn, came five wide into the stretch and finished well to just miss the place. MISCHIEVOUS SONG dueled outside a rival then re-bid between foes on the backstretch, stalked inside on the second turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. MONGOLIAN WINDOW pulled along the inside then saved ground stalking the pace, was in tight into the second turn, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. A WALK IN THE PARK angled in and dueled inside then inched away on the first turn, fought back along the rail on the backstretch and second turn, edged away again just off the inside into the stretch, fought back in midstretch and weakened late. PURSUING THE DREAM (IRE) pulled between horses then stalked outside a rival or between foes, angled to the inside into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. NICE ICE stalked three deep then bid outside the pacesetter, dueled on the backstretch and second turn and weakened in the stretch.

KYLEMORE had speed four wide into the first turn, dueled outside a rival then inched away on the backstretch, set the pace just off the inside and held on gamely under urging. RINSE AND REPEAT stalked a bit off the rail then inside, split horses on the second turn to loom a threat behind the winner in the stretch and continued willingly to best the others. DESOLATION SOUND stalked outside then went four wide on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and picked up the show. EARNEDNEVERGIVEN chased off the rail then three wide on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and lacked a response in the drive. AYACARA (GB) bobbled at the start, settled outside a rival then between foes on the backstretch and second turn and also lacked a further response. HEARTFULLOFSTARS chased off the rail then three deep on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and weakened. PACIFIC SONG had speed a bit off the rail then dueled inside, saved ground stalking the pace on the backstretch and second turn and weakened in the stretch. INDIAN GULCH a bit slow to begin, saved ground chasing the pace and gave way in the stretch.

LADY DUDE dueled four wide, took a short lead leaving the turn, inched away off the rail in the stretch, kicked clear under urging and held. CLAUDELLE stalked the pace inside, awaited room leaving the turn then came out three deep into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and finished willingly inside. OVER EMPHASIZE chased off the rail then outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and bested the others. SHES ALL WOMAN five wide early, stalked off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, came five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. KIM K dueled three deep between horses then off the rail into the stretch, angled to the inside in the drive and weakened in the final furlong. CALF MOON BAY settled off the inside chasing the pace, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MESSAGE had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn, dropped back nearing the stretch and weakened. HELLO BUBBLES broke inward and slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and was not a threat. CASH FOR CASS dueled between horses, fell back nearing the stretch, steadied in tight between foes into the stretch and weakened.

KING OF SPEED settled a bit off the rail then inside, cut the corner into the stretch, rallied under urging to the front along the inside in deep stretch, drifted out slightly at the wire but gamely prevailed. HARTEL pulled along the inside and was in a bit tight into the first turn, stalked inside, bid along the rail to gain the lead leaving the second turn, drifted out into the stretch and was outfinished late. TAKEO SQUARED hopped along the inside nearing the first turn, saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, bid toward the inside past midstretch then was in a bit tight on the line. FORLOVEOFCOUNTRY a bit slow to begin, settled outside a rival then three deep on the second turn, swung six wide into the stretch and bested the rest. HONCHO chased inside then outside a rival, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. KNIGHT'S CROSS angled in and chased outside a rival then three wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and did not rally. OWNING broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival then between foes on the second turn, came out into the stretch then angled in and lacked a further response. SEEKING REFUGE had speed between foes then angled in, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, battled between horses leaving the second turn, was fanned three wide into the stretch and weakened. RIJEKA (IRE) pulled between horses then stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside a rival on the backstretch and into the second turn then between foes leaving that turn, was fanned four wide into the stretch and also weakened. STREET IMAGE pulled hard and stalked three deep, drifted out into and on the second turn and was pulled up then walked off.

SNEAKING OUT had good early speed and set the pace inside, inched away into the turn, meet the bid of the runner-up on the turn and drew off in the stretch under some urging inside the eighth pole and steady handling. SUMMER ROSE chased outside, bid alongside the winner on the turn, could not match that one leaving the turn or in the stretch but was clearly second best. GOTTA BE LUCKY chased outside then between horses, continued off the rail leaving the turn and bested the others. ALL TEA ALL SHADE broke a bit slowly then dropped back off the rail without early speed, came four wide into the stretch and improved position,. SHANGHAI BARBIE stalked a bit off the rail, steadied in tight into the turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. FAITHFUL ONE broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and also lacked a further response. CAT HOLIC settled off the rail, came a bit wide into the stretch and weakened. VIOLETTE SZABO broke a bit slowly, moved up inside on the backstretch then steadied into the turn to drop back and also weakened. ALYSTAR angled in and dueled outside the winner, dropped back on the turn and gave way. MZ BROWN stalked a bit off the rail then chased between foes on the turn, dropped back in the stretch, was pulled up in distress in deep stretch and vanned off.

RIDE A COMET chased between horses, waited off heels leaving the second turn, came out three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging to the front in late stretch and proved best. KAZAN (IRE) settled off the rail then outside a rival, went three wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and finished well. RIVER BOYNE (IRE) stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, bid between rivals leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, took thee lead into the stretch, inched clear and held third. MAJESTIC EAGLE chased three deep to the stretch and was edged for the show between horses late. RESTRAINEDVENGENCE stalked three deep then bid three wide into and on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DESERT STONE (IRE) saved ground chasing the pace, went between horses on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ARAWAK stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. EPICAL saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the stretch then between foes past midstretch and did not rally. PUBILIUS SYRUS stalked between horses to the stretch and weakened in the drive. ANDESH (IRE) bobbled at the start, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the drive and also weakened. TAKE THE ONE O ONE had speed four wide then inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled into and on the second turn and weakened in the drive. ANIMOSITY tried to rear and was held up by the assistant starter to be away well behind the field, settled just off the rail then inside on the second turn and failed to menace. Following a stewards' inquiry, ANIMOSITY was declared a nonstarter.

STRINGENT stalked the pace outside, bid three deep leaving the turn, took the lead into the stretch, battled outside the runner-up under urging in the drive and inched clear late. EIGHTY THREE dueled three deep then between foes leaving the turn, fought back off the rail in the stretch and held second. BOW AND ARROW chased outside or off the rail, came five wide into the stretch and was edged for the place. NINETY NINE PROOF stalked inside, came out for room into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and was edged for third. GONNA FLY NOW chased inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. PAPA TURF stalked off the rail then between foes on the turn and three wide into the stretch and did not rally. COLORMEMONEY stalked outside then four wide on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. TOUGH BUT NICE dueled between horses then inside leaving the turn and also weakened. AALSMEER was sent inside to duel for the lead, dropped back leaving the turn and gave way in the stretch.

MORE ICE drifted out into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and inched clear. ALLEVA had good early speed and dueled inside, came off the rail into the stretch, bumped with FORTNITE DANCE in the drive and held second. OMAHA BEACH three deep early, chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the place. FORTNITE DANCE angled in and dueled outside the runner-up then stalked off the rail, re-bid alongside that one on the second turn and in the stretch, bumped with that rival in the drive and weakened late. TANKER pulled along the inside then saved ground chasing the pace, came out a bit into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. YAK settled outside a rival then chased a bit off the rail, went around a foe into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. LEAD STAR saved ground stalking the pace, fell back some leaving the second turn and weakened. R B EYE settled inside, saved ground to the stretch to no avail. ROYAL INSIDER broke a bit slowly, angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail and did not rally. TOSHIO off a bit slowly, came off the rail and chased outside a rival, went three deep leaving the second turn and into the stretch, ducked out from the whip in midstretch and lost the rider. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the stretch run before ruling TOSHIO was the cause of his own trouble. Another inquiry into the stretch run between the second and fourth finishers resulted in no change when the stewards ruled the bumping minor and not worthy of a disqualification.