Nick Alexander's homebred Connie Swingle grabbed a good spot early in the six-furlong Generous Portion Stakes Friday, then drew well clear in the lane to tally by 3 1/4 lengths Friday at Del Mar as the 7-10 favorite in a field of 10 2-year-old California-bred fillies.
Owner-breeder Alexander also ran second in the $102,000 feature with his Carmen Miranda. Finishing third was George Krikorian's homebred Big Novel.
Connie Swingle, who was ridden by Giovanni Franco and is trained by Phil D'Amato, had scored the initial victory of her career in a straight maiden race at Del Mar on August 6 and her winner's share of $57,000 in the dash increased her bankroll to $108,000.
Final time for the 29th edition of the six panels was a solid 1:10.89. The winner paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.20. Carmen Miranda returned $6.80 and $4.00, while Big Novel paid $3.00.
The track's Pick 6 Single Ticket Jackpot wager went unsolved one more day and its carryover rose to $419,662 for Saturday's 11-race card, which will be off and running with an early first post of 1:30 p.m. PT.
GEOVANNI FRANCO (Connie Swingle, winner) – “Phil (trainer D'Amato) told me to play the break and get a good spot with her. We did that. She was running nice and easy and when we got to the turn, I think she was playing with them (other horses). When we straightened out in the lane she just went. She's very talented.”
PHIL D'AMATO (Connie Swingle, winner) “I think she showed her class down the lane. That's a very respectable time for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies. I think she'll run on and the same for (runner-up) Carmen Miranda (whom he also trains). I think she's just kind of dying for two turns. On to Santa Anita.”
FRACTIONS: :22.23 :45.04 :57.76 1:10.89
The stakes win is the second of the meet for rider Franco, but his first win in the Generous Portion. He now has five stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the third of the meet for trainer D'Amato, but his second (Long Hot Summer, 2014) in the Generous Portion. He now has 32 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owner and breeder is Nick Alexander of Del Mar and Santa Ynez, Calif.
The post Connie Swingle Leads 1-2 Alexander Finish In Del Mar’s Generous Portion Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
