Dynamic Host Springs Del Mar Upset

Dynamic Host, a 9-1 outsider despite the presence in the saddle of defending riding champion Joel Rosario, rallied from far back to win Thursday’s feature at Del Mar, a mile and three-eighths marathon over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

Next-to-last in the early stages of the contest, Dynamic Host circled the field turning into the stretch, took dead aim on the leaders and forged ahead in the final strides to win by a head over a stubborn foe, 3-1 second choice Isle of Prado, piloted by Victor Espinoza.

Victorian Prince was third, 1 1/4 lengths back of the runner-up and 4 1/4 lengths in front of fourth-place Very Fair in the field of nine older horses. Scorpion Time, the 8-5 favorite, was fifth.

Dynamic Host, trained by Genaro Vallejo, accomplished the distance in 2:13.43 and returned $20. It was the fourth victory in 22 starts for the five-year-old gelded son of Dynaformer.

Dynamic Host provided Rosario with his second win of the afternoon, moving him into a brief tie atop the standings with Joe Talamo at 33 victories each.  However, Talamo took the eighth and final race aboard Evita’s Crown, nosing out Rosario and his mount, favored Kvell, to end the day on top 34-33.

Thursday’s attendance was 9,869.