Big Book wins Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar ©Benoit Photo
With a decisive 2-1/4 length win in the $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes (7 furlongs) at Del Mar on July 25, Big Book became the first stakes winner for her sire Mr. Big (Dynaformer). The 3-year-old California-bred filly out of the Holy Bull mare Novel Twist remains unbeaten in three starts for owner/breeder George Krikorian and trainer Tim Yakteen. The winner’s share of $110,000 boosted Big Book’s bankroll to $178,400, elevating her to top earner among her sire’s offspring.
Assuring an excellent trip for the big-striding gray/roan in a tight field, regular rider Rafael Bejarano, who piloted the filly into the winners’ circle in all three races of her career, was full of praise for the daughter of Mr. Big: “She had something left at the end and I could tell,” said the jockey after the win, as reported on the CTBA website. “I was riding her with confidence. We were all up in there, but my filly was very comfortable. Even though it was close there for a while, I felt like I could take the race whenever I wanted.”
As Mr. Big is relocating from Kentucky, the son of legendary Dynaformer will continue his stallion career in California at E.A. Ranches, exactly where the success story for his first stakes winner began: Big Book was born, raised and started at E.A. Ranches, and also completed her conditioning here.