He's a Knockout © Benoit Photo

The homebred chestnut He’s a Knockout made every pole a winner Friday in capturing Del Mar’s Real Good Deal Stakes with Joel Rosario in the boot.

The son of Smiling Tiger, bred by the farm of the late John Harris – Harris Farms in Coalinga – ran seven furlongs in 1:22.71 and hung tough late to be up by a head. He is trained by Carla Gaines, who has worked for Harris Farms for several decades.

The California-bred feature for 3-year-olds carried a purse of $152,500 and rewarded the winner with a prize of $85,500. “Knockout” paid $14.40 to his backers.

Finishing second in the extended sprint was Bushman Thoroughbreds’ Party Animal, who was a length and a quarter ahead of the show horse – Richard Barton’s Ocean Bear.

The race was the second of eight Cal-bred offerings at the Del Mar session.

JOEL ROSARIO (He’s a Knockout, winner) – “No, no special instructions from Carla (trainer Gaines). She just noted that he’d never had dirt in his face before (his three earlier starts were on turf). He broke good and went on with it. But he was relaxed; he was racing well. That other horse (second-place finisher Party Animal) made me work a little bit in the stretch, but we got it done.”

CARLA GAINES (He’s a Knockout, winner) – “I told Joel (Rosario) to just break and see where he wants to be. He’s never had dirt in his face. I mean :21 and :44. Maybe (the late) John (Harris) was pushing him along. He’s just a nice horse. This was all him because Rosario wasn’t going to push him.”

FRACTIONS:  :21.82  :44.43  1:09.97  1:22.71

The stakes win was the first of the meet for both rider and trainer. 

This was Rosario’s 37th stakes win at Del Mar, but first in the Real Good Deal.

This was trainer Gaines’ 21st stakes victory at Del Mar, but first in the Real Good Deal.

The winning owner was Harris Farms of the late John Harris.