Princess Taylor Wins Del Mar Feature

Heavily favored Princess Taylor benefited from a perfect trip under jockey Victor Espinoza  to win the featured $84,775 California Thoroughbred Trainers -- TOC Stakes Friday.

Sent postward at 3-5 to win the mile and three-eighths marathon over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course, Princess Taylor assumed a stalking position in second place as Gripsholm Castle set a moderate pace.

In the upper stretch, Princess Taylor was guided to the rail by Espinoza, responded to take the lead from Gripsholm Castle  and then held off the late challenge of 8-1 outsider Catsalot to win by a half-length in 2:14.83.

Catsalot, who was piloted by Brice Blanc, rallied strongly to be runner-up in the field of six older fillies and mares, a half-length in front of the fading Gripsholm Castle.

Princess Taylor, owned by Dr. Ronan Lambe and trained by Paddy Gallagher, returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 after her fourth victory in 36 outings. She earned $47,355 to push her career bankroll to $232,325. In her previous race, she was third to unbeaten champion Zenyatta in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes August 7.

Catsalot paid $5.40 and $2.60, while Gripsholm Castle returned $2.20 to show.