‘Epitome Of Class’: Elm Drive Holds Off Eda To Win Del Mar’s Sorrento Stakes

Little Red Feather Racing's Elm Drive dug in the length of the stretch and gamely held off Baoma Corp's Eda by a head in a dandy horse race that decided the winner of the 53rd edition of the Sorrento Stakes Friday at Del Mar.

The Grade 2 headliner at the seaside oval north of San Diego, Calif., went with a purse of $201,500 and Elm Drive came away with the winner's share of $120,000. She was ridden by Juan Hernandez and was saddled by Phil D'Amato.

Finishing third was King, Kirby or Kirby's Smash Ticket, the unlucky race favorite at 13-10 who broke badly, then ran into traffic trouble on the backside.

Elm Drive, a bay daughter of Mohaymen, is now two-for-two in her brief career after having easily captured her initial start in a straight maiden race at Los Alamitos on June 28. Her earnings rose to $147,000.

The winning time was 1:10.64 for the six furlongs.

Elm Drive paid $6.60, $3.80 and $2.20 across the board. Eda returned $3.20 and $2.20, while Smash Tickets paid $2.10.

The Sorrento is considered the key prep for the track's biggest race for juvenile fillies, the Grade 1, $300,000 TVG Del Mar Debutante, which will be contested at seven furlongs on Sunday, Sept. 5. Trainer D'Amato indicated that that race is the next target for Elm Drive.

The track's ever-growing Pick 6 Jackpot wager once more expanded when for the 10th straight day as no player was able to take down the entire pool as the single winner. The carryover into Saturday's program grew to $831,517.  First post on Saturday's 11-race card will be at 2 p.m.

Post-race quotes:
JUAN GONZALEZ (Elm Drive, winner) –
“Phil (trainer D'Amato) didn't give me any special instructions. He just said play the break and put her in a good spot. She broke well and I had her where I wanted her. When we turned for home and the other filly (Eda) came up outside us, my filly got real brave. She dug in. She's not afraid to fight. She's a good one.”

PHIL D'AMATO (Elm Drive, winner) – “She broke on top then Juan got her to rate, make a move and fight off a rival to her outside the length of the stretch. I just thought that's the epitome of class. Very professional, and I think she's the type of filly that the longer (the races) the better. (Debutante?) Yup, absolutely.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.00  :46.00  :57.95  1:10.64

The stakes win was the third of the meeting for rider Hernandez, but his first in the Sorrento. He now has 10 stakes wins at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer D'Amato, but his second in the Sorrento (Spectator, 2017). He now has 30 stakes wins at Del Mar.

The winning owners are Little Red Feather Racing overseen by Billy Koch of Woodland Hills, CA.

The post ‘Epitome Of Class’: Elm Drive Holds Off Eda To Win Del Mar’s Sorrento Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Beat Ray At Del Mar: Another Feather In Billy Koch’s Cap?

It's only week two of the Beat Ray Everyday Beach Boss competition at Del Mar and I'm going to violate the first rule of holes: namely, when you're in one, stop digging.

I got myself into a hole last weekend when Rushie, the 3-1 third betting choice in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, ran an uninspiring sixth at the seaside track near San Diego, Calif. My mythical $100 wager ($70 win, $30 show) went up in smoke while my Beach Boss opponent, Scotty McKeever (@ScottyPick6) of Equinedge.com, was all in on the race winner, Express Train, his $100 win wager returning $390.

This week's Beach Boss challenger is Little Red Feather Racing founder Billy Koch, who will attempt to do the unthinkable and defeat me two years in a row.

I'm going to keep digging to get out of that first week hole, so I'm betting against Going Global, who will be gunning for her sixth consecutive win and fifth since being imported into the U.S. and joining Phil D'Amato's barn. She'll be the heavy favorite in a field of 11, draws a favorable inside post position and gets leading rider Flavien Prat.

Watch this week's Beach Boss video, hosted by Michelle Yu, to see where Billy and I land with our wagers.

And it's not too late to sign up, as the Beach Boss contest continues every day of the summer racing season. Bet a mythical $100 each day and at the end of the meet, the player with the largest bankroll will win two VIP tickets to this year's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. Sign up and get all the details here.

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LRF Care Handicapping Contest To Benefit Aftercare Returns On July 24

The LRF Cares Handicapping Contest is back!

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and LRF Cares, a 501(c)(3) sponsored charity, have teamed together once again to host a live money on-track or online contest to benefit Thoroughbred aftercare on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Del Mar. Each player receives a $250 live bankroll with the “takeout” going to guaranteed prizes and LRF Cares.

“Horseplayers keep asking how they can help with the changing environment,” said LRF's Gary Fenton. “I can see no better way than contributing to aftercare. LRF Cares not only takes care of its own, but also spreads donations to various aftercare organizations.”

TO SIGN UP FOR THE CONTEST PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Maximum number of players is 150, so please sign up today!

Format: Live money contest. Wager $50 or more on five Del Mar live races. Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta and Daily Double wagering only.

Guaranteed Prizes: Two guaranteed 2021 $4,000 (plus $1,000 travel) Del Mar Summer Handicapping Challenge Entries and two 2022 National Horseplayer Championship (NHC) entries. NHC Tour points may be earned.

To sign up and read all contest rules, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you at Del Mar or playing online through TVG on July 24th!

The post LRF Care Handicapping Contest To Benefit Aftercare Returns On July 24 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fenton Elected Chairman of TOC Board

The TOC Board unanimously elected Gary Fenton to serve as the new Chairman of the organization replacing outgoing Chairman Nick Alexander, who stepped down after five years in the role. Fenton has been on the TOC Board since 2016 and has served as Chairman of the TOC Racing Committee since 2018 and TOC Vice-Chairman since 2019.

Fenton is the managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing (LRF), California's largest syndicate. He began his career as an entertainment attorney working for the William Morris Agency and media companies including ATG, Carsey-Werner, and AMC before transitioning to LRF full time in 2005.

“Mike Pegram and Nick Alexander are giants in our industry who successfully steered this organization through unprecedented times and left the TOC in a strong operational and financial position,” said Fenton. “It is an honor for me to step into their big shoes at a very exciting time for California Thoroughbred racing. I have great respect for the hard work of TOC staff members and my fellow TOC Board members who have each worked tirelessly over the past few years to achieve the TOC's core mission “to maximize purse revenues and preserve the long-term viability of our sport in California.”

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