Published Monday, September 2nd, 2019   ( 4 years ago )

Double Stakes Winner Catalina Cruiser Voted Horse of the Meet

Catalina Cruiser © Benoit Photo

Catalina Cruiser, who completed the unprecedented double of winning the San Diego Handicap and Pat O’Brien Stakes two years in a row, was selected Del Mar’s Horse of the Meeting for the 80th summer session by a vote of the media.

Trained by John Sadler, owned by Hronis Racing and ridden by Joel Rosario in the San Diego and Flavien Prat in the Pat O’Brien, the 5-year-old chestnut Kentucky-bred son of Union Rags won the 1 1/16-mile San Diego by a length and fought to a head victory in the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien.

Catalina Cruiser was voted the Top Sprinter in 2018 as stablemate Acclerate, the Pacific Classic winner, was named Horse of the Meeting and Top Older Horse. The stakes repeat earned a second straight Top Sprinter title as Top Older Horse and Horse of the Meeting.

There were three unanimous choices in other divisions- John C. Mabee winner Vasilika as Top Older Filly/Mare, Del Mar Oaks victor Cambier Parc as Top 3-year-Old Filly and Bast as Top 2-year-old Filly.

Vasilika took a second honor as Top Grass Horse, Del Mar Derby winner Nolde was voted Top 3-year-Old and Nucky was tabbed Top 2-Year-Old by virtue of his victory in the Del Mar Futurity.

     
Champions of Del Mar 2019
Horse of the Meeting Catalina Cruiser
Top Sprinter Catalina Cruiser
Top Grass Horse Vasilika
Top Older Horse Catalina Cruiser
Top Older Filly/Mare Vasilika
Top 3-Year-Old Nolde
Top 3-Year-Old Filly Cambier Parc
Top 2-Year-Old Filly Bast
Top 2-Year-Old Nucky