Too Sassy © Benoit Photo
Longshot Too Sassy stalked the early leader, assumed command at the top of the stretch and went on to a three and one-quarter length victory Monday in the 33rd edition of the Generous Portion Stakes, a Cal-bred offering for 2-year-old fillies.
The winner, a chestnut by Om, returned $52.20 for a $2 bet. She is trained by 74-year-old Sam Scolamieri, who works out of San Luis Rey Downs, and was ridden by 37-year-old Umberto Rispoli.
Too Sassy is owned by the Windy Ridge Stables of Ted Serna of Maywood, CA. She broke her maiden here in a straight maiden affair on August 7 and the Generous Portion was her third start.
Her victory was worth $57,000 from the gross purse of $101,000. She covered the five and a half furlong distance in 1:04.02 and now can claim earnings of $100,400.
Finishing second in the dash was Legacy Ranch’s Mohaven, who had a length on Hall Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Bakere and Levinson’s Liberation, the favorite in the race.
Racing will go on hiatus for a bit until returning on Friday for the final weekend of action in the Del Mar season. First post that day will be 3 p.m.
UMBERTO RISPOLI (Too Sassy, winner) - “She really breaks fast. I knew that last two starts; she really outbroke everyone on the turf. I was in the stakes race and I was actually beside her. But look, I was feeling comfortable going around the backside, she just keep running for me. I had a big help from the horse outside of me, help going into the turn. Down the lane she kept running. She switched leads and I was home free. I think she could be a versatile filly. You know, that’s a big advantage for a trainer. She didn’t look like a 25-1 going to the three-eighth pole and I enjoyed the moment.”
SAM SCOLAMIERI (Too Sassy, winner) – “I thought somebody would go with us and we’d just sit right on the outside edge. But nobody went. I was shocked. We got the lead and nobody is putting any heat on us. I’m really surprised. There was a bunch of great fillies in here and I was up against it but I kept telling my friends ‘Let’s mix it up. Let’s go after these guys.”
FRACTIONS: :21.40 :44.66 :57.25 1:04.02
The stakes win was the seventh of the meet for rider Rispoli, but his first in the Generous Portion. He now has 42 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Scolamieri and his first in the Generous Portion. He now has two stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owner is Windy Ridge Stables of Ted Serna from Maywood, CA.