Om N Joy © Benoit Photo
Baker, Golovko or Scanlan, et al’s homebred Om N Joy, the favorite in a field of 10 sophomore California-bred fillies, got a first-rate trip and ride from Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux and proved best by four and a quarter lengths at the end of the seven-furlong Fleet Treat Stakes.
It was the fourth consecutive win – and third straight stakes – for the daughter of the young stallion Om and her final time was 1:23.23. She paid $7.60 to her backers.
Finishing second was Richard Barton’s Hot Girl Walk, who was one and a half lengths ahead of Out of the Blue Stables’ Lady Mendelssohn.
The winner is trained by Aggie Ordonez, who was winning her first stakes at Del Mar. Conversely, Desormeaux was winning his 90th.
The savvy rider sensed the way too rapid early pace (:21.86 and :44.69) and merely sat mid-pack while saving ground along the rail. When the turn for home loomed up, the Cajun veteran put his charge in gear and she responded readily.
Om N Joy picked up a first prize of $85,500 from the total purse of $152,000. She now boasts earnings of $311,140.
Racing resumes at Del Mar Saturday with a first post of 2 p.m. There are three stakes races on the card, topped by the Grade I Bing Crosby at six furlongs.
KENT DESORMEAUX (Om N Joy, winner) – “It was like I was going 44 (mph). She just continues to improve. She was an amazing appearance last time. I didn’t know she was that good, but she is. She is just that good. I’m the lucky pilot.”
AGGIE ORDONEZ (Om N Joy, winner) – “The break is a big deal for her. She’s broken poorly a couple of times. When she got out of the gate clean, I took a sigh of relief. Then you look at Kent (Desormeaux). He was so relaxed and patient and he made me comfortable. Then she just gobbled them up in the turn. I want to find the easiest spots for her and keep doing what we’re doing. But I’m dreaming, my dreams are getting bigger.”
FRACTIONS: :21.86 :44.69 1:10.46 1:23.23
The stakes win was the first of the meeting for rider Desormeaux, but his third in the Fleet Treat. He now has 90 stakes wins at Del Mar, 10th best among all riders.
The stakes win was the first ever at Del Mar for trainer Ordonez.
The leading owner in the group is Jerry Baker of Monrovia, CA.