Longshot Affrettando Wins By DQ in Del Mar Turf Marathon
Affrettando, a 14-1 longshot despite the presence in the saddle of leading rider Rafael Bejarano, was awarded victory Thursday in the featured $77,000 Healthcare Purse when original winner and 3-1 favorite Vibrato Jazz was disqualified for causing interference in the stretch.
Vibrato Jazz, ridden by Victor Espinoza, reached the wire at the end of the mile and three-eighths grass marathon a neck in front of a rallying Affretando, but was disqualified for bearing out in the final yards, forcing Bejarano to take his mount up sharply.
After viewing videotape of the incident, the stewards placed Affrettando first and Vibrato Jazz second. It was the second straight afternoon that the original feature race winner was disqualified. Wednesday, Distinctiv Passion was disqualified after getting home first in the Green Flash Handicap, Sirocco Strike inheriting the triumph.
Affrettando, a four-year-old gelding trained by Mike Pender, returned $30.20, $12.20 and $6.60 after his second win in 13 starts. Vibrato Jazz paid $5 and $3.60, while Sumerian returned $5.20 to show. Time for the distance was 2:13.28.
With no perfect tickets in Thursday’s Pick Six, Friday’s program will feature a carryover of $110,122. Post time for the first of seven races will be 4 p.m., with the Pick Six covering the second through seventh races.
Thursday’s attendance was 9,036.