Stablemates Going Global, Going to Vegas Vie in Mabee

Going Global , the most dominant turf female in California in 2021-22, meets Going to Vegas  in a battle between stablemates in the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 10 at Del Mar.

Saturday's race, at 1 1/8 miles on turf, marks the second meeting between the two, who previously raced together May 30 in the Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park over the same trip. Going to Vegas, last year's Mabee winner, ran second in the Gamely, and Going Global settled for third behind Kentucky invader Ocean Road . That race was the first time Going to Vegas raced for trainer Phil D'Amato after prior trainer Richard Baltas' California stable was disbanded in the spring amid alleged race-day treatment violations of his horses.

Both females are graded stakes winners, with Going to Vegas having won the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T) last fall at Santa Anita after her summer victory in the Mabee, and Going Global having captured the 2021 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) as a 3-year-old. They are also winners over the course and trip.

Going to Vegas is 0-for-4 since the Rodeo Drive, running 11th in the 2021 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) and then placing in three consecutive graded stakes this year. The 5-year-old daughter of Goldencents  , owned by Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing, and MyRacehorse, returns from a layoff of more than three months.

Jockey Flavien Prat, who rode her to victory in the Mabee last year, is up.

While Going to Vegas is fresh for Saturday's race, Going Global has a race over the course at the meet, having stylishly won the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) while toting 125 pounds Aug. 13.

She is 2-for-2 this year under Umberto Rispoli, who will climb back aboard the 4-year-old Mehmas  filly on Saturday. Going Global is 9-1-1 in 15 overall starts, and 8-for-10 in U.S. turf races since being imported from Ireland in late 2020.

The CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano-owned filly carries a co-high weight of 122 pounds Saturday with Going to Vegas. The five other entrants tack 120 pounds, including yet another D'Amato trainee, longshot Burgoo Alley .

The sharp Bellamore , plus Avenue de France  and Park Avenue —second and seventh, respectively, in the Yellow Ribbon—lead the opposition. 

Park Avenue is the race's projected pacesetter with Going to Vegas figuring to take up the early chase. Going Global will likely wait until the second turn before launching her customary bid, late-running tactics Avenue de France also figures to implement.

Hronis Racing's Park Avenue recorded her two victories this year, including the Ouija Board Distaff at Lone Star Park May 30 over Avenue de France, by shooting to the early lead. She pressed the pace in the Yellow Ribbon and weakened to lose by 6 1/4 lengths.

Stakes-winning California-bred Eddie's New Dream  completes the field.

Entries: John C. Mabee S. (G2T)

Del Mar, Saturday, September 10, 2022, Race 9

• Grade IIT
• 1 1/8m
• Turf
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 5:18 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Going to Vegas (KY)	Flavien Prat	122	Philip D'Amato	5/2
2	2Bellamore (KY)	Joe Bravo	120	Simon Callaghan	20/1
3	3Avenue de France (FR)	Juan J. Hernandez	120	Leonard Powell	6/1
4	4Park Avenue (KY)	Hector Isaac Berrios	120	John W. Sadler	6/1
5	5Going Global (IRE)	Umberto Rispoli	122	Philip D'Amato	4/5
6	6Burgoo Alley (IRE)	Ramon A. Vazquez	120	Philip D'Amato	12/1
7	7Eddie's New Dream (CA)	Mario Gutierrez	120	Ben D. A. Cecil	15/1