DOUGLAS ADJUSTS TO THE WEST.Byline: Kevin Modesti Daily News Staff Writer If Rene Douglas rides his second straight Del Mar Derby The Del Mar Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses of either gender, age three, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf. winner today, nobody in the Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. crowd will have to ask, ``Who?'' Last year, fans here had never seen Da Hoss Da Hoss (born January 18, 1992) by Gone West (by Mr. Prospector) out of Jolly Saint (by Welsh Saint) is a bay Thoroughbred gelding bred in Kentucky by Fares Farms and originally owned by Prestonwood Farm as well as Wallstreet Racing Stables. before, and they were only a little more familiar with da jockey. This time, Douglas' mount Ambivalent is an upset winner of two stakes already at the Del Mar Del Mar is the name of several places in the United States of America:
``It was a big victory,'' Douglas said of Da Hoss' two-length win last Sept. 4, which was the rider's first after leaving Florida. ``Coming to California, and especially Del Mar, where I didn't arrive until the middle of the season, it wasn't easy. ``That helped me establish myself.'' Douglas, 29, has completed the difficult transition to the West Coast. He impressed trainer D. Wayne Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas (born September 2, 1935 in Antigo, Wisconsin) is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee. and got to ride Editor's Note Editor's Note (foaled in 1993 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat. Trained by D. in the colt's Belmont Stakes victory in June. His biggest victory at Del Mar this year came with another of Lukas' horses, the 2-year-old filly Sharp Cat, who won the Del Mar Debutante at 11-1. Douglas picked up Sharp Cat when Alex Solis chose to stay with favored Starry Ice (who finished ninth). He also picked up Ambivalent when Solis, who had ridden the 3-year-old's 6-1 victory in a division of the opening-day Oceanside Stakes, went with Mateo for the La Jolla Handicap The La Jolla Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The La Jolla is open to horses, age three, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf. . Mateo finished fourth, while Douglas guided Ambivalent to a come-from-behind win at 14-1. Coincidentally, Ambivalent is trained by Mike Orman, whose Lake George finished second to Da Hoss. ``This horse really impressed me last time,'' Douglas said of Ambivalent, a 5-1 co-third choice behind Caribbean Pirate and Mystic Knight in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby. Twelve 3-year-olds are entered in the 1-1/8-mile turf race. ``The (leaders) were really going slow (in the La Jolla). But when we got to the stretch, he just exploded. It looks like there's a lot of speed in the (Derby). Hopefully with a little luck I can win it again.'' Different kind of win: Owner Sidney Craig promised Eddie Delahoussaye 10 percent of the purse to step aside and let Chris McCarron ride favored Different in Sunday's Chula Vista Handicap. Then McCarron gave Craig his money's worth in unnecessary thrills. The filly and McCarron became trapped behind the only other three horses before surging to daylight and winning by 1-3/4 lengths over Top Rung. Despite slowing in traffic in the stretch, Different carried 120 pounds to a 1:42 2/5 clocking, the fastest 1 1/16 miles by a distaffer at the meet. It was the third Chula Vista for Craig, who won with Exchange in 1992 and Paseana in '94. ``At the quarter pole, I thought, `It's not your day,' '' Craig said. McCarron, who rode Different to victory in the Beverly Hills Handicap The Beverly Hills Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II un over a distance of 1 ΒΌ miles on turf, the race is open to fillies and mares three years of age and older. at Hollywood Park, was to have Exotic Wood in the Chula Vista. But that filly was withdrawn Saturday with a swollen ankle. Delahoussaye agreed to give up the Different mount. In return, according to McCarron agent Scott McClellan, Craig promised Delahoussaye 10 percent of what turned out to be $189,200, the winner's share of the $303,200 purse. Borodislew finished third, Cat's Cradle last. Different paid $3.40. |
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