Medoro © Benoit Photo
C R K Stable’s Medoro established a good position early, split horses on the turn for home and then outran 10 rivals to come away a length and three quarters winner Sunday at Del Mar in the Osunitas Stakes.
The 4-year-old Honor Code filly scored the fifth victory of her career in her ninth start. She also has two seconds and two thirds and was winning her fourth black type event. Umberto Rispoli handled the bay for trainer Peter Eurton as they picked up a first prize of $60,000 from the gross purse of $109,000. She now has total earnings of $416,600.
Finishing second was Mr.-Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ Grand Slam Smile, who had a half length on D K Racing, Quatar Racing or Gold, et al’s Lunar Impact.
Final time for the mile on turf was 1:34.88. The winner paid $7.60 for $2.
Racing will resume at Del Mar Thursday as the track begins its regular summer routine of Thursday through Sunday sport. Between Friday and Sunday there will be four stakes presented, including a nifty doubleheader Saturday consisting of the Grade II San Diego Handicap and the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes.
First post Thursday will be 2 p.m.
UMBERTO RISPOLI (Medoro, winner) – “I had a wonderful trip. She broke very well out of the gate. I set myself in a good spot; I was one off the fence behind the speed, and that’s the best place to be in opening weekend at Del Mar, you know. Look, she travelled very well. I think Peter (Eurton) did a really good job with this filly. She rested and she has come back strong, you know, going a mile is never easy. But she looks like a classy filly, she made it easier than what you see on TV. It feels good to have a stakes win at Del Mar”.
PETER EURTON (Medoro, winner) – “I was so pleased to see her show a lot more tactical speed. The freshening did a lot for her. She’s put on weight. She’s trained so well and when they’re fresh like that they show their natural speed instead of getting into trouble, which she did a lot last year. But she’s never missed a check.”
FRACTIONS: :23.05 ;47.12 1:11.82 1:23.63 1:34.88
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Rispoli, but his third victory in the Osunitas. He now has 36 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Eurton and his first in the Osunitas. He now has 13 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owners are Lee and Susan Searing of Arcadia, CA, who race under the banner of C R K Stable.