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 Adare Manor after winning the 2024 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes |
The highlight race at Del Mar on Saturday was the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) presented by the Oak Tree Racing Association for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track, looking for automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Distaff under the Challenge Series program. Conditions were excellent in north San Diego County with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s for the 13,615 fans in attendance. A field of 8 made final entry with last year's winner Adare Manor sent off as the 3-5 favorite off wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and Santa Margarita Stakes (G2). In to challenge her included 5-2 second choice Scylla, winner of the Shawnee (G3) and Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs, and 7-1 third choice Pretty Mischievous off third place finishes in the La Troienne (G1) and Ogden Phipps (G1).
 Adare Manor rallies down the stretch in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes |
58-1 longest shot Olivia Twist was quickest away through an opening quarter of 23.00 before Scylla took over through a half in 46.52 and 3/4 in 1:10.97 while pressed by Olivia Twist and stalked by Adare Manor. Turning for home Scylla opened up a 1 1/2 length lead through 1 mile in 1:36.82 but Adare Manor, 3 wide under Juan Hernandez rallied by to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:43.29. It was another 2 lengths back to late-running 21-1 Flying Connection third.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 2 Adare Manor Hernandez 3.20 2.80 2.10 3 Scylla Smith 3.20 2.60 1 Flying Connection Talamo 5.00 Winning Time: 1:43.29 $2 Quinella 2-3 5.20 $1 Exacta 2-3 4.30 $1 Trifecta 2-3-1 27.90 $1 Superfecta 2-3-1-5 104.20Results Chart |
Left: Adare Manor in the winner's circle. Pasqual Rivera, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert said, "She ran a good race. She was relaxed inside. We didn't want to go with the longshot. I was little worried at the three-eighths pole. She was still inside but past the quarter pole when they straightened out into the stretch she came outside and she started running."
Right: Adare Manor in the paddock. Winning jockey Juan Hernandez said, "She broke good and relaxed so I was happy. I wish I could have an easy trip, but this is horse racing, it's never like that. I saw a couple guys trying to get the lead. I'm not going with them. This wasn't a perfect trip for her, but it was fine. She's not bothered by the kick back so where we were was OK. I rode her with a lot of confidence; she was running with a lot of confidence. We made our way through that little bit of trouble we had and she was off and running. I was just waiting for the quarter pole or around the turn, and I saw a gap. She is one of the best fillies I've ever ridden."
Left: Second place finisher Scylla in the post parade. Jockey Mike Smith said, "Position-wise I did, but body language-wise, she was very, very keen. She was pulling very hard. If I could have, I would have kept (Adare Manor) in there. But I couldn't. She was pulling me too hard."
Right: Third place finisher Flying Connection in the paddock before the race. The Todd Fincher trainee improved her record to 7 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds in 17 starts, earning $993,300 for owners Brad King, Jim Cone, Robert L. Lewis, Suzanne Kirby, and Randy Andrews.
On the Whim in the winner's circle. The Dean Pederson trainee improved his record to 3 wins, 0 seconds, and 0 thirds in 7 starts, earning $164,740 for owner-breeder Harris Farms Inc.
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