DEL MAR, Calif. – Lone Rock, a distance-loving son of Majestic Warrior, shattered a 64-year-old Del Mar track record Saturday when he won the $250,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at the marathon distance of a mile and five eighths in 2:42.61. The race was a supporting feature on the day of the Breeders’ Cup Championships.
The former record of 2:45 flat was established by Ormolu on August 24, 1957. The distance is rarely run at Del Mar.
Ramon Vazquez piloted Lone Rock who overhauled 6-5 favored Tizamagician in the upper stretch and drew off to win by a length and one-half as the 3-2 second choice. Third was Cupid’s Claws in the small field which was reduced to five by the scratches of Zestful and Mad Grace.
“No special instructions for me. He just said to ride him like you know how. I had a good trip all the way. I was very confident in my horse, and he was running well. At the eight pole I asked, and he ran hard. He’s a good horse,” said Vazquez.
Lone Rock, an eight-year-old gelding owned by the partnership of Flying P Stable and R.A. Hill Stable and trained by Roberto Diodoro, returned $5, $2.80 and $2.10 while earning first money of $150,000 with his 13th victory in 36 starts. Tizamagician paid $2.60 and $2.10, while Cupid’s Claw returned $2.60 to show.
Sean Williams, assistant to Robertino Diodoro, commented: “It played out the way we thought it would. We expected (Tizamagician) would go and we would make him use a little bit to clear us. Then when it was time, he likes it on the outside and we could go get him. This is such a good horse. He makes our jobs easy.”
The stakes win was the first ever at Del Mar for rider Vazquez. It was Diodoro’s second stakes win at Del Mar.
Del Mar Press Release
Photo: Lone Rock (Benoit Photos)
