With equal parts courage and fine horsemanship, rider Tyler Baze and his filly At the Spa squeezed through the tightest of holes on the rail in the stretch, then went on to capture the 68th edition of the CTBA Stakes Thursday afternoon at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.
The homebred 2-year-old daughter of Outwork proved a neck the best at the end of the 5 1/2-furlong headliner for California-bred fillies and earned her connections $57,000 from a total purse of $101,500. Final time for the race was 1:06.11.
At the Spa, now undefeated in three starts, is owned by the trio of Terry Lovingier (her breeder), Tom Beckerle or Saul Carillo. Her victory pushed her bankroll to $164,580.
Finishing second was William R. Peeples' Drizella, while third, just a head back, was Lovingier, Madiha or Navarro's Madiha.
At the Spa paid $8.20, $4.40 and $3.60 across the board. Drizella returned $7.20 and $5.40 and Madiha paid $9.60 to show.
For veteran Baze, the score was his 39th stakes win at Del Mar. For trainer Jorge Periban it was his first.
The conditioner said he was looking ahead to a possible start for his filly in the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Debutante on Sunday, Sept. 5.
In the track's Pick 6 Single Ticket Jackpot wager, the kitty rose once again for the ninth straight racing day as multiple tickets tabbed the final six winners on the card. The Jackpot carryover into Friday's eight-race card is now $747,277. The Jackpot is paid out when there is just a single ticket that selects all six winners.
First post Friday is at 4 p.m.
Post race quotes:
TYLER BAZE (At the Spa, winner) – “We've been training her in the morning to run like this; to come from behind, take a little dirt in her face. I think she gets more aggressive when that happens. Today I saw that hole (on the fence) and knew it was my only shot. My filly was up for it; there wasn't much room there, but she got through. She ran like the horse I know she is. She doesn't like to get beat.”
JORGE PERIBAN (At the Spa, winner) – “She showed me a lot today. She showed that she can come from behind. Most of the time she breaks in front. We had a few problems in the stretch but we got lucky to get inside and get the money. We will wait and see about (next race), but maybe the Debutante (Grade 1, September 5) and if we get lucky, maybe the Breeders' Cup.”
FRACTIONS: :21.69 :46.15 :59.39 1:06.11
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Baze and his first in the CTBA. He now has 39 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first one ever at Del Mar for trainer Periban.
The winning owners are Terry Lovingier from Long Beach, CA; Tom Beckerle of Seoul, Korea and Saul Carillo.
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