Favored Amalfi Sunrise powers to victory in Sorrento Stakes

Amalfi Sunrise stamped herself a serious contender in the 2-year-old filly division with an eye-catching victory in the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar on Saturday. 

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Amalfi Sunrise dueled between horses down the backstretch, edged clear of those rivals around the far turn and then drew off down the stretch to come home the easiest of winners by six lengths.

Amalfi Sunrise, who paid $3.40 to win, covered six furlongs in 1:10.96 with Norberto Arroyo Jr. aboard. 

Amalfi Sunrise was followed across the wire by Powerfulattraction and Shedaresthedevil.  

It was a powerhouse performance from Amalfi Sunrise, a daughter of Constitution who was a $180,000 auction purchase as a 2-year-old by owners Branham or Naify.

Arroyo Jr. heaped high praise on the filly following the race. 

"Oh, I had a ton of horse. She's a very nice filly," Arroyo said. "Maybe the best filly I've ever been on to this point, and I've been on some nice fillies. She's something special."

Amalfi Sunrise's only other start was a 6 1/4-length debut victory against open maidens at Santa Anita on June 23.

Callahan, who won last year's Sorrento with Bellafina, said it was concerning to see all pace pressure down the backstretch, but it didn't matter to Amalfi Sunrise. 

"I was a bit nervous early because it looked like everyone wanted to go...and it was going to get into a speed duel" Callahan told TVG. "But she fought them off. You can't ask for a 2-year-old filly to do more than that. Yeah, she was spectacular."