Handy Dandy (inside) get the nose on the wire. Benoit Photo
DMTC News
DEL MAR, Calif—The hard-trying gelding Handy Dandy ran one of his best races Friday at Del Mar on the opening card of the Bing Crosby Season and he needed every inch of oomph he put into it as he came away a winner by just a whisker in the $84,600 Let It Ride Stakes on the lawn.
The Florida-bred, who has now finished in the top three in 10 of his 13 starts, managed to hold off the hard-charging Kentucky invader Script at the wire for a nose victory and a winner’s share check of $49,860.
Juan Hernandez rode Handy Dandy, who has now won $266,260 in his career. The horse had broken through the starting gate prior to the race, banging his shoulder and Hernandez’s elbow. But both shook it off and got some good medicine when they held on late and went to the winner’s circle.
Handy Dandy is owned by a partnership headed by John Rochfort of San Jose, CA, who races under the name CYBT.
Script, who fired a good shot under John Velaquez to just miss, is owned and was bred by Stone Farm and was shipped west by trainer Graham Motion. Finishing third in the heat three-quarters of a length back was Muir Hut Stables’ Spycatcher.
The mile feature was run in 1:37.08.
Handy Dandy paid $7.80, $3.80 and $2.80. Script, who went favored at 5/2, returned $4.80 and $3.40, while Spycatcher paid $3.40 to show.
Hernandez won two races on the eight-race opening card, as did riders John Velazquez and Kyle Frey.
Racing resumes for Day 2 of the fall session Saturday with a first post at 12:30 p.m.
