DEL MAR, Calif.— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Sister Otoole proved a “run-right-off-the-plane” winner Friday over seven rivals in the $131,500 CTT & TOC Stakes for fillies and mares at the demanding distance of a mile and three eighths on the Del Mar lawn.
The 5-year-old Florida-bred mare made two moves in the turf marathon, moving up from last to third on the backstretch the second time around, then firing again through the lane to capture a hard-fought victory by half a length.
Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for trainer H. Graham Motion, who shipped Sister Otoole west from his Fair Hill training center in Maryland along with one of his top 3-year-old fillies. That would be Spendarella, who goes as the betting favorite tomorrow in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks.
Finishing second in the Friday’s long-distance turf test was Calumet Farm’s Scarabea, while Kaleem Shah’s Bellamore checked in third.
Sister Otoole ran the distance in 2:15.27 and earned $60,000 for her efforts, pushing her bankroll up to $298,032.
She paid $11.00, $5.20 and $4.20. Scarabea returned $8.00 and $5.00, while Bellamore paid $5.20 to show.
First post at Del Mar Saturday will be at 2 p.m. The 10-race card will feature the $300,000 Oaks, a nine-furlong grass test that has drawn 14 3-year-old fillies.
Notes: Country Grammer continues to do well for trainer Bob Baffert who says, “all systems are go for the Pacific Classic.” Baffert believes his Dubai World Cup winner and runner-up last out in the G2 San Diego will enjoy the 1 ¼ mile of the TVG Pacific Classic on September 3…The third annual CARMAthon is underway and continues through Saturday. The California Retirement Management Account is taking donations this weekend to help with its grant program, which assists more than 20 Thoroughbred aftercare charities. Donations can be made on the CARMA website…Notable works for Friday: Dirt – Forbidden Kingdom (3f, :37.40); Big City Lights (4f, :48.40); Carmelita’s Man (4f, :50.40); Finneus (4f, :50.00); Grace Adler (4f, :47.20); Bran (5f, :59.80); Fashionably Fast (5f, 1:00.40); Laurel River (5f, 1:00.60), and Heywoods Beach (6f, 1:12.80). A total of 170 horses put in official works Friday.
DMTC Press Release
Photo: Sister Otoole victorious in the CTT & TOC Stakes (Benoit Photo)
