Red Rafa Stud's homebred Planetario (BRZ) benefitted from a heady ride by Hector Berrios and managed to hang on for a neck score Friday at Del Mar in the $201,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2), a 1 1/2-mile test on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
The 5-year-old horse by Il Doge lagged back early and saved ground under Berrios, then was put to the task turning for home. The rider asked his charge to split horses at the head of the lane and, in doing so, all but ensured he could win the race. Planetario dug in late in the shadow of the post and held off the race's 7-5 favorite Francesco Clemente to take the top prize.
Finishing third was Lukka, who was just a nose behind the runner-up in the field of seven.
“I wanted to run behind (horses) where he is more relaxed,” Berrios said of the winner. “We came close (to other horses) in the stretch but a little space opened and my horse, he responded. He had a good finish at the finish line.”
Trainer Richard Mandella credited Berrios for a “great ride.”
“He didn't lose an inch of ground. He sat still on him and just rode him with a lot of confidence,” Mandella said. “That didn't hurt him (going back to the mile and a half). He carries a lot of weight, but it doesn't take anything out of him.”
Planetario was winning the seventh race of his career in his 15th start, earning $120,000 for his efforts, increasing his lifetime bankroll to $266,548. His first five tallies came in his native Brazil, where he was bred by Red Rafa Stud owner Ricardo Steinbruch. His dam is the Crimson Tide (Ire) mare Aerosfera (BRZ).
He covered finished the trip in 2:28.02 and returned $12.40 for the victory.
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