Adare Manor captures the Clement L. Hirsch two years in a row (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Del Mar Press Release
Michael Lund Petersen’s Adare Manor captured the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for the second year in a row as the highlight of a special afternoon of racing dubbed Oak Tree Day at Del Mar.
The charity group – which specializes in its role of being horsemen who help horsemen – sprinkled funds and good feelings throughout the day at the shore oval, including their backing of the $401,500 purse of the Hirsch, a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track that the 3/5 favorite Adare Manor won smartly by two and three quarters lengths.
The 54th edition of the race is also a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” event that guarantees the winner free entry into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which will be run this year at Del Mar on Saturday, November 2.
Del Mar’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez, handled “Manor” with expert care, easing her through some tight quarters on the far turn, then sending her on her way to another impressive tally. The 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo earned $240,00 for her efforts which increased her husky bankroll to $2,096,600. It was her 10th victory in her 18th trip to the post.
Finishing second in the Hirsch was Juddmonte’s Scylla, shipped in by trainer Bill Mott from her Kentucky base. Running third, another two lengths back, was Andrews, Cone or King, et al’s shipper Flying Connection.
Earlier on the card Harris Farm’s On the Whim proved best by a length and a quarter in a surprise in the 19th running of the California Dreamin’ Stakes, a mile and one sixteenth on the turf course that is limited to California-bred 3-year-olds and up.
The homebred 4-year-old gelding by Acclamation covered the distance in 1:41.44 under Abel Cedillo and returned an even $22 to his backers in the Saturday gathering. Veteran Dean Pederson trains the winner.
Finishing second in the Cal-bred feature was Three Kings Racing or Victory Rose Thoroughbreds’ Proof He Rides, who was a half length better than Hector Castrellon’s None Above the Law.
Racing is on again at Del Mar Sunday with the usual 2 p.m. first post. There will be a pair of stakes on the card – the La Jolla Handicap and the CTBA Stakes.
