Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit, last through the first half of $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3), put on the blasters late and reeled in his five rivals from the outside to win by a half length Sunday at Del Mar.
The Kentucky-bred son of Pioneerof the Nile had been gelded since a runner-up finish his previous start, the Cinema Stakes June 4 at Santa Anita, and the surgical procedure certainly seemed to have a positive effect for the youngster, who turned back all of his 3-year-old rivals in the 82nd edition of the 1 1/16-mile race, first run at the seaside track in 1937.
Cabo Spirit, who was ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer George Papaprodromou, picked up a winner's share of $90,000 of the La Jolla purse to push his total earnings to $312,560. The La Jolla was his first graded stakes win, and third win overall, in his 13th career start. He ran the race on Del Mar's Jimmy Durante turf course, finishing in 1:42.28.
“I wasn't really where I wanted to be going into the first turn, and I could tell they were really slowing it down up front,” Bravo said. “But he made a big move on his own around the (far) turn and then in the stretch it was all him.”
Finishing second in the La Jolla was Gary Barber's Perfect Flight, who had three-quarters of a length on Perry and Ramona Bass' Sumter, the 9-5 favorite.
Papaprodromou said he was bit worried Cabo Spirit was far back early; he was last as pacesetter Armagnac clocked a half mile in :47.66; he then advanced up to fifth through six furlongs in 1:27.47.
“But,” Papaprodromou added, “Joe rode him patiently and nicely and then made a move on the turn and he just exploded.
“We decided to geld him to get him to relax and obviously you can see (the result). He got a little tense and hot, but he got to relax a little more than before. Del Mar Derby (G2) (September 3) is next.”
Cabo Spirit, who was bred by WinStar Farm from the Shamardal mare Fancy Day, paid $7.40
The La Jolla is the second of three turf stakes run at the session for 3-year-olds. The Oceanside on opening day was the first, and the final race is the series is the $300,000 Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
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