Doug O'Neill Sends Out Five Winners in a Day at Del Mar

Trainer Doug O'Neill pulled off a noteworthy performance at Del Mar July 31 when he sent out five winners on the seven-race program, matching the track's record for most winners in a day that the O'Neill barn set July 29, 2015.

O'Neill, a five-time leading trainer at Del Mar, began the afternoon with a $49.20 upset by So Gucci in the first race, followed with Oil Can Knight at $24.60 in the third, Vegan at $15.80 in the fourth, and Convince at $15.40 in the fifth.

Acai was eighth and last in the featured $100,702 C.T.B.A. Stakes, but Ocean Fury, $6.20, climaxed the afternoon by winning the seventh-race nightcap.

None of O'Neill's winners were favored, although Ocean Fury was a close second choice.

O'Neill's top assistant Leandro Mora said he was counting on Ocean Fury to pull through in Wednesday's race.

"My only chance of the day today was this horse (Ocean Fury). A few of my friends asked who I liked today and it was this one," Mora said. "Every other horse running today was plus, plus, plus, but this one I knew was going to run well.

"Coming into this race, I felt the pressure because we have won four already on the card and we all wanted to get to five. I am very glad to have tied our own record; I just wish it was six. We are celebrating tonight with lobster, but with no beans!"