Amalfi Sunrise Much the Best in Sorrento
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Amalfi Sunrise wins the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar
Bettors had debut winner Amalfi Sunrise favored at 3-5 over graded stakes winner Comical in the $200,351 Sorrento Stakes (G2) Aug. 3 at Del Mar, and the 2-year-old Constitution filly rewarded her backers when she drew off by six lengths to win her second start.
"It really was impressive the way she drew away at the end," trainer Simon Callaghan said. "She's a naturally fast filly, and that's the way she likes to run, up near the pace. She took a lot of heat and still was able to pull away, which was very professional."
Comical, who was 2-for-2 after winning the July 11 Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course, went straight to the lead for a :22.50 opening quarter-mile but weakened early. Amalfi Sunrise, who was only a head behind under jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., took over to run a half-mile in :45.91 and continued to widen her margin.
She was four in front when she clocked five furlongs in :58.17, then completed six furlongs in 1:10.96 on a fast main track and proved the best by six lengths.
"Oh, I had a ton of horse," Arroyo said. "She's a very nice filly. Maybe the best filly I've ever been on to this point, and I've been on some nice fillies. She's something special."
Amalfi Sunrise topped a trio of juvenile fillies sired by freshman stallions standing at WinStar Farm. The winner was the second black-type scorer this year for Constitution, who also sired Sanford Stakes (G3) victor By Your Side. Arkansas-bred Powerfulattraction, sired by Commissioner , rallied from last of six to take second by a nose over Shedaresthedevil, by Daredevil . Shanghai Keely, Princess Mo, and Comical completed the order of finish.
From her two wins, Amalfi Sunrise has earned $159,000. The Sorrento followed a 6 1/4-length maiden special weight score June 23 at Santa Anita Park.
The dark bay/brown filly was purchased by agent Ben McElroy for $185,000 from Bobby Dodd's consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. She first went through the ring with consignor Hidden Brook at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where Royal Colors Racing bought her for $40,000.
Amalfi Sunrise was bred in Kentucky by Jack Mandato. She is out of the Empire Maker mare Soot Z, who also produced grade 3-placed runners Gotti and Senatus. Soot Z foaled a Tiznow filly May 11 and was bred back to Into Mischief .
Beau Recall (inside) wins the Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar
Beau Recall Travels West to Win Yellow Ribbon
Slam Dunk Racing and Medallion Racing's Beau Recall is familiar with Southern California tracks having spent about two racing seasons based there, and the Brad Cox trainee made the trip back west worth it Saturday when she got up to win the $200,351 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar.
Since moving east to Cox in late 2018, the 5-year-old Sir Prancealot mare has never been worse than second in six starts.
Jockey Drayden Van Dyke saved room on the inside with Beau Recall, the 2-1 second choice, as Valedictorian and Storm the Hill dueled up front. Valedictorian led the first quarter-mile in :23.98 before Storm the Hill pulled ahead by 1 1/2 lengths to lead through fractions of :48.02 and 1:12.09.
Storm the Hill had the advantage in the stretch with Van Dyke having to steady Beau Recall leaving the turn, but the jockey angled his mount back to the inside and charged up the rail. It came down to a photo finish, but Beau Recall got her nose in front to complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.23 on firm turf.
"That incident (near the far turn) cost me at least half a length," Van Dyke said. "I got pushed out. My mare was going good and got thrown off stride. She was game. She was coming good. I was hoping I got there, but I had no idea."
"Brad just told me to keep her happy and get her to the race happy and healthy. Brad called Drayden earlier today and then Drayden and I just touched base before the race to go over what Brad said," said Donnie Balthazar, Cox's assistant. "After that, it was him and her. I was nervous at the finish, and then it got even more nerve-wracking with the objection. I've come out here before when we have one running, but I've never won a stakes like this."
Storm the Hill held off a charging Vasilika, the 4-5 favorite, for second by half a length. Valedictorian, Elysea's World, and Lemoona followed across the wire.
Lemoona's jockey, Mario Gutierrez, claimed foul against the winner for interference leaving the second turn, but the stewards ruled the incident did not change the order of finish.
Beau Recall is closing in on the million-dollar mark with earnings of $990,512. She has a 7-6-0 record from 24 starts.
Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned Beau Recall at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, but she was a $385,000 RNA.
Beau Recall was bred in Ireland by Tom Wallace out of the Great Commotion mare Greta d'Argent, who also produced a stakes winner in Summer Lane. Greta d'Argent last foaled a full sister to Beau Recall in 2018.
Video: Sorrento S. (G2)