Mrs. Astor victorious in the Red Carpet (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif. – Augustin Stable’s Mrs. Astor proved best by a length Sunday in the 59th running of the Red Carpet Stakes at Del Mar, giving her rider – Vincent Cheminaud – and her trainer – Jonathan Thomas – their first stakes victories at the shore oval.
The $101,000, Grade III feature drew seven fillies and mares for a mile and three-eighths testing on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and Mrs. Astor tracked nicely through the first mile, then made her move nearing the stretch and held race favorite Forever After All safe in the lane.
Dixiana Farms’ Forever After All, the 7-10 betting favorite in the marathon, encountered bad luck on the far turn and had to check hard and fall back under Juan Hernandez. The maneuver cost her several lengths and may have cost her the victory.
Finishing third, three and a half lengths farther back, was Cayton Park Stud’s Marksman Queen.
Final time for the 11 furlongs was 2:16.82. Mrs. Astor returned $11.60 for each $2 invested in her.
The winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Lookin At Lucky bred by her owner, picked up a check for $60,000 for her efforts to increase her bankroll to $295,235. It was her third tally in her 15th start and her first stakes win.
Racing will resume at Del Mar on Friday with a first post at 12:30 p.m. The upcoming Friday, Saturday and Sunday programs will bring the 11th Bing Crosby Season to a close.
VINCENT CHEMINAUD (Mrs. Astor, winner) – “I was outside. It (the inquiry) was between Umberto Rispoli and the horse inside. Umberto’s horse tried to come inside every time. I was looking at that. But I had a good trip. My filly was good; she likes the fast track (course). There are times she ran pretty good at Keeneland, so I had a good chance today. She doesn’t have much speed from the beginning. My filly has a really good turn of foot and today she tried hard. My first time at Del Mar. I run two good horses, yesterday and today, two good winners. When you win you are happy every time. I know small tracks; I travel a lot in the world. I have the experience to run everywhere.”
JONATHAN THOMAS (Mrs. Astor, winner) – “She was able to find herself a little closer because there was a lack of pace. I thought he (jockey Vincent Cheminaud) did a good job of sneaking and gaining ground and putting himself in a good stalking spot down the backside. You definitely can’t leave yourself too much to do. I think we got a little lucky with Brendan’s (Walsh) horse getting into a little bit of trouble but he saw that and kicked on which I think was the right thing to do. I thought Vincent gave her a fantastic ride.”
FRACTIONS: :24.85 :49.47 1:15.19 1:40.44 2:05.16 2:16.82
The stakes win was the first one ever at Del Mar for rider Cheminaud.
The stakes win was the first one ever at Del Mar for trainer Thomas.
The winning owner is the Augustin Stables of George Strawbridge.
