Regaled. (Jim McCue/TMJC)
Regaled Kicks Them Down In Sunday Feature
Del Fabbro rides first North American winner
Dan Illman/The Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md. – “Bloodlines rule,” trainer Sammy Davis said after Regaled rallied from last to first to prevail in Sunday’s featured seventh race at Laurel Park, a $53,000 second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
Regaled wore blinkers for the first time.
“I went back and looked at her mom, and her mom won with blinkers in New York going seven-eighths,” Davis continued. “I [wondered] why I hadn’t put blinkers on this horse. Then, I galloped her in them, and she was totally different. Up on the bridle.”
Regaled didn’t break the best and settled at the back of the pack. Meanwhile, Northern Glow set fractions of 24.56 and 48.22 seconds. Davis wasn’t concerned.
“That’s her comfort zone,” Davis explained. “I told [jockey Yomar Ortiz] not to hit her when she left the gate. I knew the blinkers would lay her a little closer. If you notice, the races before, she laid back 17 lengths, 18 lengths. I told him to leave her alone and when you get to the half-mile, just ride her hard all the way home.”
After a six-furlong clocking of 1:13.42, Regaled started passing rivals, swung widest into the stretch, and produced a determined charge to run down favored Stop the Cap by three lengths in 1:47.50 over the sloppy track.
“As long as I saw her in the clear at the top of the lane, I knew it was over,” Davis said.
Lovely Charm held third, a half-length behind the runner-up. They were followed home by Northern Glow, Majestic Creed, Mavilus, and Western Lane.
Regaled returned $25.40 to win as the longest shot on the board. Call Another Play, Too Many Kisses, and Don’t Tell Kelly scratched.
A $9,500 weanling purchase, Davis claimed Regaled for $30,000 out of her career debut, a fifth-place effort in a six-furlong race last year. She won her first two starts once Davis stretched her around two turns, finished third in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks, and fourth in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks.
Regaled finished fifth in the Carousel Stakes at Laurel in her most recent effort, her final start in 2024.
Considering how well Regaled ran in the Delaware Oaks last summer, Davis will consider a return trip. “The further she goes, it just seems like she can’t stop. If she stays good, I want to take her back to Delaware for the Delaware Handicap.”
The Grade 3, $400,000 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/8 miles is on Sept. 28.
Bred in Kentucky by Chris Baccari, Regaled is a 4-year-old filly by Mohaymen. Her half-sister, Drexel Hill, finished third last month in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds. Regaled has won three of 12 starts for earnings of $147,010.
Del Fabbro rides first North American winner
Ten-pound apprentice rider Sara Del Fabbro rode her first North American winner, guiding Ifeelbadforyouson to a gate-to-wire triumph for trainer Ben Feliciano Jr. in the opening race, a $12,500 maiden claimer at one mile.
The 25-year-old Del Fabbro, from Bergamo near Milan, Italy, attended the British Racing School and rode her first winner in 2018 at Yarmouth in England for trainer Michael Bell.
“I am very happy to have my first win in America,” a beaming Del Fabbro said. “I started riding in England for Mr. Bell and had my first few winners there. I’ve had a little break, kind of a long break, more than a little, and now I’m back in America to give it a shot.”
According to statistics from The Jockey Club, Del Fabbro rode 73 winners in England and Italy. She is eligible for the apprentice allowance as only three of those wins are recognized in the United States. She rode 30 winners in unrecognized races in Italy in 2022.
Sidelined that summer due to a fractured collarbone, Del Fabbro returned and rode four winners on a single day at Milan two months after her comeback. She won 11 unrecognized races in Italy in 2024.
“My big dream is to get the flowers,” Del Fabbro said, referencing Kentucky Derby roses, when asked why she moved her back to the United States. “I’m following the dream.”
Del Fabbro credited her mount for the victory. “Once he got the lead, he did it all by himself. I just sat there. He never got tired and kept picking it up.”
Around the track > > >
Quint’s Brew received a career-high 99 Beyer Speed Figure for his impressive General George Stakes victory on Saturday…
Irish Maxima earned a 94 Beyer in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes despite breaking through the gate at the start…
Speedyness notched a 95 Beyer in the John B. Campbell Stakes while Sea Dancer took home a 90 speed figure for her rail-skimming Nellie Morse triumph…
Stakes-winning 3-year-old It’s Hammertime breezed three furlongs in 38.60 on Saturday morning for trainer Gary Capuano…Just a Fair Shake, third in the Laurel Futurity in his final start at two, breezed for the first time this year on Saturday, completing a half-mile in 53 flat for trainer Daniel McKenzie…
Multiple stakes-winner Ms. Bucchero blitzed a half-mile in a bullet 46.40 for Diane Morici while Capuano breezed Xtra Heat winner Onyx Ten in 49.60…
Spectacular Bid winner Barbadian Runner, likely for Saturday’s Miracle Wood Stakes, went five-eighths in 1:02 for Henry Walters…
Sacred Thunder (1:00.80; Capuano) also breezed in preparation for the Miracle Wood…
At Fair Hill on Saturday, stakes-winner Be Better breezed three-eighths in 37.60 over the All Weather Training Track for Russell while multiple Grade 2 winner Future Is Now breezed a half-mile in 51 flat for Michael Trombetta.
