Formidable Man. (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press
DEL MAR, Calif—Mr.-Mrs. W.K. Warren, Jr.’s Formidable Man outfooted 10 rivals Saturday at Del Mar in the 84th edition of the Grade I Hollywood Derby, a nine-furlong crucible on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. The soph colt by City of Light had shown a fondness for the seaside green this past summer when he swept the Oceanside Stakes and the Del Mar Derby.
Umberto Rispoli was aboard the bay who is trained by Mike McCarthy. The winner returned $12.60 to his backers on the next-to-last day of racing at the 11th Bing Crosby Season as he got home by three-quarters of a length in 1:48.40 with a nifty stretch punch.
“Look this horse has been working lights out, for weeks. Michael decided to escape to twilight there and I think that was a perfect call, giving a horse enough time for this race. It is always a tough race at the end of the year. We have a few horses coming from back East, so we have to respect everybody, and the horses from California. But look, I am pleased, Rispoli said.
“I have been working him for the past three works that he had, and he was getting better, better and better. I knew there was quality and potential there. And he proved that to me today. I can’t be more pleased for Mr. Warren and his wife; they really support me, giving me so many chances in my career, and it’s a blessing to win for people like that.”
Finishing second in the $303,000 headliner was Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT or Nentwig, et al’s King of Gosford, who was a neck better than Donegal Racing’s Donegal Momentum.
Formidable Man earned a check for $180,000 for his winning run and pushed his career earnings to $637,425. He was winning his fifth race in his 10th start and his first Grade I.
Racing has one more chance to shine at Del Mar tomorrow before the season concludes. There will be a nine-race card beginning at 12:30 p.m. featuring the Grade I Matriarch Stakes.
“He had a fantastic trip,” commented McCarthy.
“I had said to Umberto (jockey Rispoli) maybe we go ahead and bounce out of there early. I wasn’t sure what to make of the pace. On paper it didn’t look like there was going to be a ton. Glad to see we were sitting where we were just behind the speed. He always looked like he was threatening to run a big one. A hole opened up and he exploded.”
Fractions: :23.77 :47.84 1:12.58 1:36.65 1:48.40
The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Rispoli and trainer McCarthy both winning their first in the Hollywood Derby. Rispoli now has 34 stakes at Del Mar with McCarthy at 14.
The wining owners, Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Warren, Jr. are from Tulsa, OK.
