Going to Vegas pulls away under Prat to win the Mabee

Going to Vegas and Del Mar’s leading rider Flavien Prat sat a perfect trip Saturday in the nine-furlong John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar, then pulled clear at the top of the stretch and could not be caught in scoring a two and one-quarter length triumph in the Grade 2 headliner.

The winner, a 4-year-old filly by Goldencents, was winning the sixth race of her career and the $120,000 winner’s share of the $201,000 purse increased her earnings to $454,151. The bay Kentucky-bred is trained by Richard Baltas.

“I had a good post and a good break," Prat said. "I got right where I wanted to be and we weren’t going that fast. When I asked her, she had a really good turn of foot. She was a winner all the way today.” 

Going to Vegas is owned by three racing groups – Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing or MyRacehorse. An estimated post-race crowd of 250 of her owners filled Del Mar’s winner’s circle to capacity, and then some.

This is great," Baltas said. "

They’re all having fun and that’s what it’s all about.”

Finishing second in the grass test was LNJ Foxwoods’ Dogtag, who had a length and a quarter on Calvin Nguyen’s Bodhicitta.

The winner, the 19-10 race favorite, returned $5.80, $3.20 and $2.60.  Dogtag returned $2.80 and $2.40, while Bodhicitta paid $2.80 to show.

“She was where she wants (second, stalking position) from the start," Baltas said. "She’ll rate now, she used to not rate. I’m very proud of the horse coming back fairly quickly from the (allowance win) at the start of the meet to win a mile and an eighth graded stakes."

This was the 64th running of the Mabee, named for one of the founders of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.