Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis' hard-knocking veteran Brandothebartender rallied from last to first to capture the $152,000 California Dreamin' Stakes by a half-length July 25 at Del Mar.
Umberto Rispoli was aboard the 8-year-old Tribal Rule gelding in the turf event for California-bred or -sired 3-year-olds and older and they were last of 10 early as Desmond Doss ran the first quarter-mile in :23.83. The pair had moved up a spot as the half went in :48.78. Indian Peak rallied from eighth to lead through six furlongs in 1:13.85, with Brandothebartender back in fifth.
Brandothebartender advanced four wide on the turn for home and powered down the stretch to edge Indian Peak. The final time for 1 1/16 miles on the firm course was 1:42.55. The winner returned $11.40.
"I love this horse. I know him better than my son," said Rispoli, who has ridden Brandothebartender in 12 races. "It's unbelievable. He's such a cool horse to ride. You can do anything with him—sprint, long, grass, in front, come from the back. He does it all. You just ask him, and he does it.
"Somehow I knew Flavien (Prat on Indian Peak) was going to make that early lead (he went to the lead on the far turn), so I said 'I'm following him.' Then my horse did his thing. (It's) so much fun to win on him for his wonderful ownership group and to win here at Del Mar. It's all the best."
The Craig Dollase trainee pushed his record to 9-7-15 from 46 starts and increased his earnings to $772,864. Dollase got the owners to invest $40,000 in claiming him three years ago at Del Mar.
"The owners are just a great bunch of people; we were so lucky to get this horse two years ago off the claim, and he has been a gem," Dollase said. "He's such a fighter in the lane, and he did it again. He's 8 and he doesn't know it."
Indian Peak finished second 1 3/4 lengths ahead of North County Guy , who nosed out Wound Tight for third.
Brandothebartender was bred in California by John Haagsma and Wesley Ward out of the Stravinsky mare Frysland, also dam of grade 2 winner Lost Bus and stakes-placed Hockeythehayman . Frysland's last reported foal is a yearling Stay Thirsty filly named Court Snort.
Earlier on Sunday's card, Perry and Ramona Bass' Superstition ran to her 2-1 odds to win the $90,380 Daisycutter Handicap, for fillies and mares 3 and older at five furlongs on the turf. The 4-year-old Ghostzapper filly completed the distance in :56.89 and won by 1 1/2 lengths. She paid $6 to win. Superstition is trained by Richard Mandella and was handled by Del Mar's leading rider, Prat.
Superstition was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm out of the Distorted Humor mare Grand Glory. She's a full sister to grade 3 winner Gloryzapper and a half sister to multiple grade 3-placed Banree . Grand Glory's most recent foal is a yearling City of Light colt. The mare was bred to Justify for 2022.
Agent Steve Young purchased Superstition for $850,000 from Denali Stud's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The filly has a 4-3-2 record from 10 starts and earnings of $244,140.