Closing Remarks Has the Last Word in John C. Mabee
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Closing Remarks wins John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar
Closing Remarks certainly had the last word in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 9 at Del Mar, rallying from the back of field to score her second straight grade 2 victory at the meeting.
With jockey Umberto Rispoli back from a serious fall just over a week earlier, Closing Remarks raced last of six down the infield chute and around the clubhouse turn into the Del Mar backstretch. The California-bred, 5-year-old Vronsky mare then split rivals heading into the stretch, moved up quickly outside the leaders and won comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths.
She finished the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.23. Turnerloose led at the top of the stretch and held second with Paris Peacock third.
"She's very special. She really loves Del Mar," Rispoli said of Closing Remarks, who now has three wins and a second from five races at the seaside track.
Rispoli was thrown from his mount in the first race Aug. 31 at Del Mar and taken from the track by ambulance. He avoided serious injury but missed three days of racing.
"Thanks to everybody who helped me out this week, helping me come back in a week. It was very tough for me and I still have a little bit of the pain but thanks to Carla (trainer Gaines) and everyone in the barn," Rispoli said.
Closing Remarks, a Harris Farms homebred mare, has been a steady presence in the filly and mare turf ranks for Gains and her owners for nearly two years, finishing in the money in eight of 10 races coming into the Mabee.
She was given a break of nearly three months after finishing sixth in the Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita May 29 and returned to win the Yellow Ribbon (G2T) at Del Mar Aug. 12. That and the Mabee represented the first back-to-back wins of her career.
The Gamely was the fourth grade 1 tilt of Closing Remarks' career and her best result from those was a runner-up finish in the 2021 Del Mar Oaks (G1T). She finished sixth in that year's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T) at Keeneland and seventh in that year's American Oaks (G1T).
Rispoli predicted better things for Closing Remarks after the Yellow Ribbon.
"I think she (Closing Remarks) has been very alive her past couple of races," he said of that effort. "Today she improved and can compete with those horses."
"Umberto is the best," Gaines said.