Del Mar 2022: Master Piece (16-1) wins disputed Eddie Read

Master Piece overcame a wide draw, a swift early pace and a post-race objection to score a 16-1 upset in the Grade 2, $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes, the 1 1/8-mile feature Sunday on the turf at Del Mar.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Mastercraftsman ridgling ridden by Abel Cedillo angled sharply inward at the start from post 10 and bottlenecked two horses. Cathkin Peak (7-1), who came out of post 9 and finished third, was one of the victims. His trainer Phil D’Amato lodged an objection that stewards rejected by a vote of 3-0 after seven minutes of deliberation.

“Master Piece caused a bit of interference, but not enough to warrant a disqualification,” track announcer Trevor Denman said when he revealed the stewards’ decision.

Owned by Fernando Díaz-Valdés, Julio Ramírez’s Baalbek Corporation and the Don Alberto Stable, Master Piece was fifth when he cut the corner turning for home before Cedillo found room in the three path to make a victorious charge.

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Hong Kong Harry (3-1), also trained by D’Amato, moved into contention before the far turn and closed late to finish second. Then came Cathkin Peak and, in fourth, Homer Screen (19-1).

Master Piece had a winning time of 1:46.25 that followed early fractions of 23.24, 46.28, 1:10.04 and 1:34.29 on the firm course. He paid $34.20, $14.00 and $8.20. Hong Kong Harry paid $6.00 and $4.00. A $2 show ticket on Cathkin Peak was worth $5.40.

The $1 exacta paid $97.70, the 50-cent trifecta $264.25 and the 10-cent superfecta $346.92.

It was the second win in seven North American starts for Master Piece, who had lost his last five. He went 3-for-10 in his native South America in 2019 and 2020.

Bred by Liliana Solari Falabella’s Don Alberto farm in Chile, Master Piece technically turns 6 on Monday, the collective birthday for racehorses foaled in the Southern Hemisphere.