Almendares (GB) © Benoit Photo

ANTONIO FRESU (Almendares, winner) – “I was just keeping him comfortable for the early part. He was doing fine. Then a little something opened near the head of the stretch and we went through there. He’s older now and stronger. It will be interesting to see what and does and where he goes from here.” 

PHIL D’AMATO (Almendares, winner) – “Just the way he drew away. He’s the kind of horse that, when he does win, he wins by an inch. But today he got a great trip, split horses and powered away. We freshened him up pointing to the Del Mar meet and this was a great prep for the Del Mar Mile. A beautiful ride. Antonio (Fresu) seems to get the best of him. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” 

FRACTIONS:  :22.75  :46.17  1:10.15  1:22.42  1:34.57

The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Fresu and his first in the Wickerr. He now has 11 stake wins at Del Mar.

The stake win was the first of the meet for D’Amato, but his third in the Wickerr. He now has 66 stake wins at Del Mar. 

The primary winning owners are CYBT (John Rochfort of San Jose),McLean Racing Stables (Ian McLean of Sunol, CA) and Saul Gevertz of Oakland, CA.