Del Mar: Mitchell Pulls Even With McAnally
Mike Mitchell sent out two winners at Del Mar Thursday to tie Hall of Famer Ron McAnally for the title as winningest trainer in the storied history of the seaside track.
The 63-year-old conditioner, in his 35th season at Del Mar, won the sixth with favored Diamond Journey, ridden by Joel Rosario, and then moved into a deadlock with McAnally by saddling his 436th winner “where the turf meets the surf” when So Tough won the eighth race and final race of theafternoon with Martin Garcia aboard.
Mitchell will have three opportunities Friday to clinch the top spot when he sends out contenders in the second, fifth and sixth races.
Meanwhile, McAnally, in his 52nd Del Mar meeting, will be in Chicago this weekend, saddling defending champion Éclair de Lune in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park.
In Thursday’s feature, a five-furlong sprint on the grass for older fillies and mares, 7-1 California Nectar, rated on the lead by jockey Patrick Valenzuela, held off the late charge of 17-1 longshot Sleep Tight and 7-2 West Ruler to win by a half-length in a quick :56.07.
Sleep Tight, piloted by Martin Pedroza, nosed out West Ruler for runner-up honors, with Pincelada fourth. Salty Sarah, the lukewarm 5-2 favorite, was fifth in the field of seven horses.
California Nectar, a three-year-old daughter of Stormy Atlantic owned by Suarez Racing, Inc., and trained by Doug O’Neill, returned $17, $9.20 and $5.40 to her supporters in a crowd of 10,227. It was her fourth victory in ten lifetime starts.
Sleep Tight paid $14.80 and $5, while West Ruler returned $3.40 to show.