Twirling Candy Dominates in Oceanside

Craig Family Trust's Twirling Candy, the 4-5 favorite of the largest crowd in Del Mar history -- 45,309 -- on opening-day of the 2010 Del Mar racing season, was everything advertised and then some as he cruised to an impressive triumph in the featured $112,500 Oceanside Stakes for three-year-olds at a mile on the infield grass course.

Twirling Candy, an unbeaten son of 2003 Pacific Classic hero Candy Hero, stalked the early pace in third position until entering the stretch where he surged to the lead, overhauling the speedy Macias and then drawing out to win by 2 1/4 lengths under jockey Joel Rosario.

Macias, with Martin Garcia aboard, held on gamely to be second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place Gallant Gent, with Just Magic fourth in the field of ten.

Twirling Candy, conditioned by John Sadler, accomplished the distance in a quick

1:34.69, running his final eighth in less than 12 seconds under a hand ride by Rosario.

The winner, scoring his third victory, returned $3.60, $3.20 and $2.60 while earning $67,500. Runner-up Macias, second choice in the betting at 7-2, paid $3.80 and $3, while Gallant Gent returned $4.20 to show.

Victor Espinoza was the riding star of the day as he booted in three winners, sweeping the daily double on North Fork in the opener and Valiant Effort in the second and then taking the sixth aboard Ruffled Feathers.

Because there were no perfect tickets in the Pick Six, there will be a carryover of $164,721 on Thursday's eight-race program. Post-time is 2 p.m.

The previous single day attendance record at Del Mar was registered a year ago when an inaugural crowd of 44,907 turned out.