Pamela Ziebarth’s So Sweetitiz, with Del Mar’s leading rider, Flavien Prat, in the saddle, prevailed in a blanket finish to win Friday’s featured $85,380 Daisycutter Handicap for older fillies and mares at five furlongs on the infield grass course.

 

So Sweetitiz, a Kentucky-bred four-year-old filly by Grand Slam, gamely outfinished longshot Late Spring to score by a half-length. Third-place Long Hot Summer was another head back and in turn was a half-length in advance of Cindys Secret in the field of nine runners.

 

Shrinking Violet, defending champion in the Daisycutter and the 2-1 favorite, finished seventh.

 

So Sweetitiz, trained by Marty Jones, sped the distance in :56.32 and returned $10, $5.80 and $4.20 after recording her fourth victory in eight starts. First money of $47,700  increased her earnings to    $179,750. Late Spring, who went to the gate at 14-1, paid $12.20 and $6.80, while Long Hot Summer paid $5.20 to show.

 

Racing resumes Saturday with a stakes doubleheader, the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for two-year-old fillies and the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for three-year-olds. Post time for the first of ten races is 2 p.m.