Sunset Glow Triumphs in Sorrento Stakes
Ten Broeck Farm’s Sunset Glow, runner-up in a 21-horse field in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in England June 20, had only four two-year-old filly rivals to beat in the Grade II $200,000 Sorrento Stakes Wednesday at Del Mar and she did it in style, cruising to a wire-to-wire triumph under jockey Victor Espinoza.
The Kentucky-bred daughter of Exchange Rate, a $140,000 Keeneland yearling, sped to the lead shortly after the start of the 6 ½ furlong dash and never was seriously threatened, winning by 3 ¼ lengths in 1:16.61 to earn first money of $120,000.
La Grange closed steadily to be second, 5 ¼ lengths in front of Heart of Paradise, with Sharla Rae fourth. Caval, the even-money favorite, was prominent early but tired badly and was eased in the stretch. Scratched from the original field were Conquest Eclipse and Windy Forecast.
Sunset Glow, scoring her second victory in four starts, paid $8.60, $4.40 and $2.80 as the third betting choice while increasing her earnings to $197,645. La Grange, sent to the gate at 5-2 under Kent Desormeaux, returned $3.40 and $2.60, while Heart of Paradise paid $2.80 to show.
The Sorrento Stakes is the prelude for juvenile fillies to the Grade I $300,000 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs Saturday, August 30.
Wednesday’s Pick Six pool totaled $1,322,042 counting a $195,205 carryover from last Sunday and $1,126,837 in “new” money. There were four perfect tickets, each paying $199,296.
Attendance Wednesday was 10,962.