Zoffarelli Wins U.S. Debut Via DQ in La Jolla
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Zoffarelli (center) crosses the finish line second but was later placed first in the La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar
Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal's Zoffarelli was a nose shy at the finish line, but ultimately placed first by stewards to win the $150,500 La Jolla Handicap (G3T) Aug. 8 at Del Mar. The 1 1/16-mile turf event for sophomores was the first start in the United States for the formerly English-trained Zoffany gelding.
"I've only had him for eight days. No works," said trainer Jeff Mullins, who also saddled River Boyne to win the 2018 La Jolla for the same connections. "They worked him before he came and we just kept him happy."
Sword Zorro , another son of Zoffany, was first across the line, with Zoffarelli second a head in front of Hudson Ridge . Following a stewards' inquiry though, Sword Zorro was disqualified from victory and placed third for drifting out late and interfering with Zoffarelli and Hudson Ridge.
"I wasn't that confident (during the inquiry)," Mullins said. "I've been on the wrong side of them a lot before. (The elevation to first) looked legitimate, but you never know."
Jockey Drayden Van Dyke settled Zoffarelli in fifth early while Sword Zorro, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, brought up the rear in sixth. Stilleto Boy showed the way with a narrow lead through fractions of :23.38 and :47.16 for a half-mile, and after that point Rispoli rallied Sword Zorro up the inside while Zoffarelli remained racing in the two path near the back.
Sword Zorro was in third by the time Stilleto Boy ran six furlongs in 1:11.55, was tipped outside turning for home, and took over the lead down the lane. Zoffarelli bid in between horses, with Hudson Ridge on his outside in the stretch, but was bumped from his inside when Sword Zorro drifted out under left-handed urging. Hudson Ridge was also floated out before crossing the finish line in a blanket finish.
The final time over the firm course was 1:42.27. Following the revised order of the top three, Wyfire , Stilleto Boy, and Cathkin Peak completed the order of finish. The winner returned $17.80 on a $2 win ticket.
"If I don't get banged that last time, I'm going to go on by and win it on my own," Van Dyke said. "But (Sword Zorro) kept constantly drifting out and out. It was the right call. I knew this horse was going to run big today. I did my homework. I was over at the barn with Jeff the other morning watching this horse's races in England. The owners know what they're doing when they go over to Europe and buy one. They got another good one here."
Zoffarelli was bred in Ireland by Gigginstown House Stud out of the stakes-placed Elusive Quality mare Genuine Quality, who has a yearling full sister to the La Jolla winner. He was a $79,300 purchase by agent A. C. Elliott from Lynn Lodge Stud's consignment to the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and made his first seven starts in England with trainer Ralph Beckett before moving stateside.
His record is now 2-5-0 and he has earned $110,325.