Big Book ©Benoit Photo
Coming off a dominant win in the Fleet Treat Stakes last month, Big Book was the lone California-bred entered in the $100,000 Grade-3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar. Installed as the second choice, behind overwhelming favorite Grade-1 Santa Anita Oaks winner Stellar Wind (Curlin), the 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Big and Novel Twist (Holy Bull) did not disappoint. Finishing an unchallenged second, 3-1/4 lengths clear of third placed Rattataptap (Tapit), Big Book increased her earnings to $198,400. Trained by Tim Yakteen for owner/breeder George Krikorian and piloted by regular rider Rafael Bejarano, the gray/roan filly was well placed throughout the one-mile contest and never allowed the eventual winner a margin greater than 4 lengths. Big Book was the first stakes winner and now is also the first offspring earning graded black type for her sire. Mr. Big is the only son of Dynaformer to stand in California and ranks currently eighth on the state’s Third-Crop sire list.
Bloodhorse.com article and race replay here.
One week earlier, multiple graded stakes winner Ashleyluvssugar added to his already impressive resumé with a second place finish in the $250,000 Grade-2 Del Mar Handicap. The four year old gelding by the late E.A. Ranches stallion Game Plan led briefly at the top of the stretch in the 11 furlong affair on the turf and proved second-best behind Big John B (Hard Spun). Ashleyluvssugar increased his earnings to $515,504.
Bloodhorse.com article and race replay here.