Om N Joy proves she belongs in open company (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif. — The California-bred filly Om N Joy dropped into open company Saturday afternoon at Del Mar and certainly proved she belonged. The versatile daughter of Om scampered home a half length best in the $151,000 Torrey Pines Stakes under old pro Kent Desormeaux and collected her fifth consecutive score over six rivals in the Grade III test at the shore oval.
Om N Joy, trained by Aggie Ordonez, picked up a check for $90,000 for her efforts, pushing her bankroll to $401,140. She paid $10.00 for $2 in the second of five Graded stakes on the Del Mar program.
She ran the mile for 3-year-old fillies in 1:36.99.
Finishing second was Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis’ pacesetter So There She Was, who had a length and three quarters on race favorite Tenma, owned by Baoma Corp.
KENT DESORMEAUX (Om N Joy, winner) — “She exploded. She gave me so much confidence. She went to the post like a 9-year-old mare. And she had no problem taking the dirt in her face. Last time she was totally on the bit and I couldn’t keep her off the lead. Today, her demeanor was so much different and I give all the credit to the trainer. I thought the pace today was honest. I just was able to tuck in behind horses and cut the corners. In the stretch, I knew I was going to catch the leader.”
AGGIE ORDONEZ (Om N Joy, winner) – “I should know better than to worry about a thing with Kent (Desormeaux) aboard. She looked comfortable and started inching up on them and I knew she hadn’t laid it down yet. When she drops that head and reaches, she just motors. It’s really a beautiful thing to see. Some girls like diamonds, some girl like jewels. I like that kind of stride on a big red mare.”
FRACTIONS: :22.97 :47.13 1:11.66 1:24.30 1:36.99
The stakes win was the second of the meeting for rider Desormeaux and his first in the Torrey Pines. He now has 91 stakes wins at Del Mar, 10th best among all riders.
The stakes win was the second of the meeting for trainer Ordonez and her first in the Torrey Pines. She now has two stakes wins at Del Mar.
The leading owner in the group is Jerry Baker of Monrovia, CA.
