07/21/2012 6:57PM

Del Mar: Acclamation repeats in Eddie Read while stretching win streak to seven

By Steve Andersen
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Benoit Photo
Pat Valenzuela celebrates as Acclamation nears the finish of his second straight victory in the Grade 1 Eddie Read.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Acclamation is making summertime success at Del Mar an annual event.

For the second consecutive year, Acclamation won the $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf on Saturday, leading throughout and never facing a major challenge. Acclamation extended his winning streak to seven races, all graded stakes, in the Eddie Read.

“Each race gets a little more nerve-racking,” owner-breeder Bud Johnston said. “It’s very satisfying.”

Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Acclamation ($3) won the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths over Interaction, the winner of the Group 1 Carlos Pellegrini Stakes in Argentina in 2009. Casino Host closed from last in a field of five to finish third, followed by Hog’s Hollow and Slim Shadey.

Acclamation led by as much as 1 1/2 lengths through an opening half-mile of 24.97 and 49 seconds. Slim Shadey, second to Acclamation in the Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park in June, was second for the first seven furlongs, but faded from contention in the stretch.

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Acclamation led by four lengths at the eighth pole and finished in 1:46.86. Acclamation ran the final three furlongs in 34.29 seconds and the last furlong in 11.41 seconds.

“It was an exciting race,” Johnston said. “These winning streaks are hard to keep going but he made it look easy.”

Interaction, the winner of an optional claimer at Hollywood Park in June, in his California debut, was fourth on the turn and closed well through the stretch. For a few moments, jockey Brice Blanc thought Interaction could give Acclamation a fuss in the stretch.

“He was much the best and hard to catch,” Blanc said of Acclamation. “He outran us from the middle of the turn.”

Blanc thinks Interaction will be better served by longer races.

“He’ll keep improving and he wants more distance, too,” Blanc said.

Acclamation won the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic last August and has the same race as a goal on Aug. 26, Johnston said.

“Now hopefully the Pacific Classic is on our future,” Johnston said.

Trained by Don Warren, Acclamation, 6, has won 11 of 30 starts and $1,958,048. The winning streak includes five Grade 1 races.

Chris Szabo More than 1 year ago
Couldn't bring myself to wager on that race - such a short, unbalanced field. with the result all but certain, there was no value to be had. Strictly from the point of view of watching as a dispassionate observer, the only 2 things to watch were the performances of the 2 chalks. Acclamation was spot on, while the other disappointed. Still, it was hard to get excited with no competition or sport. Back to looking at the daily fare of maidens, claimers, allowances races, and lesser stakes.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
No value hmmm. It seemed like it was pretty easy to put your money down and then pick it back up in less than 2 minutes with a 50% profit .
nicola c More than 1 year ago
he is great never let me down yet, love him i hope the streak continues
Jordan More than 1 year ago
The most career grade 1 wins by a North American based male in the 2000s is 7. That mark is held by Curlin, Lava Man, and Gio Ponti. Acclamation now has 6 career grade 1 wins(5 coming in this 7 race win streak). That puts Acclamation up with English Channel, who most certainly is right near the top of any list of best North American turf horses the last decade. One of English Channel's 6 grade 1 wins came in the BC Turf, the type of win that could push Acclamation from a nice comeback story(later develpment) to best of the decade(male) discussion.
Goldhybrid More than 1 year ago
That gives one a new appreciation for the horse, history in progress.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Goes to show that all grade 1's aren't created equal. Bring him to Arlington for the Million if he's such a great grass horse. But they won't because they don't want to leave the friendly confines of California where the turf racing sucks big time. They won't go to Arlington because he would finish about 6th and his connection know that. Now way he wins the Breeders Cup Turf even if it is at Santa Anita. Overrated.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
They won't go to Arlington because they will be running in a better race where they are the defending champ at the beach where its 70 degrees. Why would they want to go to Chicago for a lesser race & run in a rainstorm in August. LOL.
peter More than 1 year ago
How come no "winning" comments from the jockey?
David More than 1 year ago
P. Val. is still the best on the front end, it is time for us to see him on more horses at DMR. There is nobody better at DMR getting a horse out of the gate.
Saw Mill Worker More than 1 year ago
At 47 an weighing 122 plus his past history you won't " Fat Pat "on too many horses at any track.
IRON More than 1 year ago
As long as he keeps winning Grade 1 races the 122 ibs wont matter
Jordan More than 1 year ago
Yep, it's just a matter of weight with PVal. With no Rosario, there is certainly a void in the SoCal colony.
IRON More than 1 year ago
Have you notices the SoCal colony is getting much weaker,used to be the strongest bar none.Back in the day even the great cordero couldn't crack it.Now we have a bunch of good young talent,but not enough good horses to go around.Bejarano is putting on a clinic...he has a lock on the top stables...If tyler baze can get his act together i think he can challenge him.He is just as good talent wise.Talamo seems to have cooled off.
JDS0810 More than 1 year ago
Talamo is #9 in the country....really???? http://www.equibase.com/stats/View.cfm?tf=year&tb=jockey
Steve Herron More than 1 year ago
If the BC Turf field is anything like it's been in the last couple years, Acclamation should win easily.
Wesley White More than 1 year ago
Acclamation will not finish even close to the money if more than 4 Group 3 Euros come over, they will trounce him, he's defeating optional claimers and some of you think that's impressive, seems like we've seen this before out west from a certain optional claiming defeating mare.
Jordan More than 1 year ago
And boy did the Euros hand it to that mare in the 09' Classic. And boy was she embarrassed by the big bad male dirt horses in the Classic the next year. And that mare's stablemate, who had been drubbed repeatedly by her bigger stablemate in 2009, was certainly no match for the beasts from the East in the 09' Ladies Classic. That detour totally took away from your point that running against the Euros in the Breeder's Cup won't be nearly as easy as the Read was. No arguments here on that point. But I don't think group 3 Euros will get it done. There will need to be some legit group 1 Euros or a prmosing up-and-coming group 2 runner to deal with Acclamation, assuming the horse remains healthy and in form. And by the way, interaction won South Americ'a biggest race a few years back(a legit international group 1 with a purse extremely rich for the standard of living) , Slim Shadey is a grade 2 winner this year and ran 2nd at the Read distance in the grade 1 Woodford Reserve back East, and Casino Host won a grade 2 back East earlier this year. So, not optional claimers.
myjockwon More than 1 year ago
bring him east an face one of Todds or Shugs runners an lets see if the streak continues
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Ha Ha Ha !! LOL. Todd & Shug better get some runners first !!! LOL. Turbo Compressor couldn't even beat Little Mike to the punch and we saw what happened to Little Mike against old beat up California runner Jeranimo & McAnally's first time US multiple Gr. I winner from South America Suggestive Boy. They chose not to try Acclamation with Suggestive Boy !! You're right that the streak might not continue in the east because the NY mafia might sponge him in the detention barn. Thats the kind of pull the Whitney's Phipps's & Janney's have in NY !! They can't pull that sheet in California and thats why they keep their bums in NY.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
He beat the BC turf place horse like a drum . That horse finished ahead of several Gr I Euros in the BC Turf. He beat the BC Classic runner-up by 10 lengths after dueling him into submission . That horse pounded So You Think, multiple International Gr I winner. Seems like you don't know what you're talking about ! LOL.
KeenelandCapper More than 1 year ago
the chiefs also beat the packers last year
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Yep ,California has the best damn claimers in the World !! Bar None !! Claimers like Charismatic, Budroyale , Lava Man. LOL.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Yep, That lousy mare only beat the winners of well over 200 stakes & more than 50 Gr.I stakes. One of the lesser ones was the sprinter she ran right past when she broke her mdn who went on to win sprint stakes. LOL.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Name the euro jogger thats going to keep up with Acclamation and come home in less than 24 smart guy and don't say Frankel when Frankel has never gone past 8f .
Mark More than 1 year ago
Bejarano is turning into the Russell Baze of Southern California only winning with the shortest priced horses. When I heard of a high profile jock leaving So Cal, I was hoping it was Bejarano but instead it turned out to be Rosario. Bejarano almost caused a chain accident in Saturday's 4th race (watch the video) and will whip his horse right-handed when other riders are trying to go through on the inside cutting them off constantly. When other jockeys rough ride like that, the stewards are quick to disqualify but never seem to question Bejarano about it. Heres hoping the other jockeys return the favor and cut him off sending him to the sidelines.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Rosario's departure left the SoCal jockey colonly as weak as anytime the last 50 years. 20 years ago there was Pincay, Shoe finishing up, Mc Carron, Stevens, Eddie D, Solis, a young PVal, a young Nakatani, a young Desormeaux.
Goldhybrid More than 1 year ago
There are already very capable jockies filling the void. Maldanado is stepping up and was winning with some overlooked horses even when Rosario was present. Hernandez is doing the same. I think Garcia is proving he's as good as any others. Anyways, I play horses, not jockies. I bet using the racing form, not the program.
Goldhybrid More than 1 year ago
I've seen that too. But all jockeys play tough. They make mistakes too.
TEDK215 More than 1 year ago
good to see Pat Val staying sober and winning races again!!!
Tom Hua More than 1 year ago
Yes, we all love P. Val, no matter what they say. Way to go, P. Val. We all care about you.
Saw Mill Worker More than 1 year ago
His days as a jockey are all but over. Too old to fat an bound to revert to his bad habits.
IRON More than 1 year ago
Hey Saw mill,everybody and i do mean EVERYBODY on earth has their demons to deal with.I pray that he is able to control and conquer his.Hopefully you will be able to do the same,you sound so negative and bitter.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Son of a sawmill owner , :-) 122 lbs is fat !! LOL. I imagine you as about 5'7" 245 !! LOL. And don't try to say your daddy doesn't own the mill ! LOL. Nobody else would hire you ! LOL.
Cranky More than 1 year ago
I absolutely love this big, beautiful, monster. One of the best and assuredly. one of the most dangerous..
Meydan Rocks More than 1 year ago
Even with his ability to stay closer to the pace vis a vis his performance in the Prove It Stakes, will Richard's Kid be able to run Acclaimation down in the Pacific Classic? Now I'm curious how Acclaimation will fare against top flight European horses.
Saw Mill Worker More than 1 year ago
Not Well. If he ever runs against them. Which is doubtful.
Wesley White More than 1 year ago
The Europeans rarely send over their best. We've seen no Zarkava, Sea of Stars, Nathaniel, Harbinger or the Frankel's of the european top Group 1 horses, we see alot of their Group 2 or Group 3 winners come over here and dominate american horses. What we have to recognize is that Acclamation is facing allowance horses in these weak as water California races. His people realized that he wasnt good enough to come east to win races like the Man O' War, Arlington Million or Joe Hirsch, those are the top races in America. Acclamation's people were ok with running in races like the Jim Murray Handicap. Its amazing to see how the connections of West coast horses are content with their charges proving that they are regional champs "ONLY" they dont face the best of the best consistently but want the same respect that horses like Cape Blanco receives after taking down all 3 of the top turf races in the United States. Its a travesty for the horse to continue to have to run down to the lesser competition that he is facing out west. What will he do when he faces the Group 3 Euros, he'll fold in the stretch, and be embarrassed. Its ok though, maybe they will give him another unwarranted Eclipse award for winning the Pacific Classic. SMH
Jordan More than 1 year ago
Your statement is just untrue. What were Goldikova, Conduit, Dar Rei Me, Ouija Board, Midday, So You Think, St. Nicholas Abbey, Dylan Thomas, Hurricane Run, Shirocco, Alamshar, Bago, High Chapparel, Falbrav, George Washington, Islington, Rock of Gibraltar, Galileo, Sakhee, Fantastic Light, Banks Hill, Montjeu, Kalanisi,Giant's Causeway, Daylami, Swain, Singspiel, Pilsudski, etc, etc? Yes, there have been a few of the greatest recent Euros that didn't come over, and they didn't bring good groups for the 2010 and 11 BC Turf. But make no mistake, the above listed Euros were elite group 1 runners, champions over there. As for Acclamation going back East, that made more sense last year when the BC wasn't in his home state. And secondly, while I would like to see him in the Arlington Million, the Pacific Classic carries an identiical $1million purse and is at a track he's won over. Why don't some of those top Eastern horses come out West for that $1 million? Hopefully at least one horse will ship out, unlike the Hollywood Gold Cup when no one wanted to have to ship in and run the classic 10 furlongs against Game on Dude, even for $500k. That's right, West Coast horses suck. Horses like Zenyatta, Blind Luck, Lookin at Lucky, Acclamation, and Amazombie, all Cali based horses that were named Eclipse champions since 20010. And I'll Have Another is almost certain to win at least one Eclipse this year. By the way, Eclipse voters didn't equate what Acclamation did last year with what Cape Blanco did. Cape Blanco was voted the champion male turf horse by a large margin. Acclamation's Eclipse was for older male, and the runner-up, Game on Dude, was also Cali based. And finally, if these fields Acclamation is beating are so bad, why don't we see more shippers from the East? I know, I know, they have just as rich and just as prestigious races back East. But that argument holds for the top Eastern horses. But what about the second tier Eastern horses? Why run 6th in an Eastern grade 1 or run for moderate money in a grade 2 or 3 when you can go out West and cruise in a grade 1 ? Getting a grade 1 on the resume is so crucial for breeding purposes. Just ship out West for easy money? Actions speak loud, and the lack of shippers reveals that trainers back East know it wouldn't be easy. ps- That Man O' War field was really great. And same with the UN. Who went favored in the UN?
IRON More than 1 year ago
Hey Jordan,take a bow you deserve it...just like Acclamation...
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Atta Boy Jordan. You forgot to mention about 8 Arc winners that got beat in the BC while never actually winning a BC race. Acclamation not only runs in California ,he's a Cal Bred !! Cape Blanco wouldn't make a pimple on Acclamation's rump !
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
They don't come over because after they lose the WTR won't be able to pretend they are best in the world. Simple as that.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
We saw what the Cal-bred TiZnow did to your Euro champs LOL. He would have done the same on grass. He outgutted those horses because they never had a real race before. Just Euro Jogs. The reason the Euro's beat the crummy Eastern Turfers is because they let them run Euro Jogs. When Euros face horses that can run an entire race they get smoked just like Treasure Beach did . LOL.
Jordan More than 1 year ago
Richard's kid will be tough in the Pacific Classic, regardless of the pace scenario. He didn't have much pace to run into in 2010, and he still swooped wide and won. If Baffert thinks Game on Dude is training better over the Poly this year than last, and that's a big if, then expect a more aggressive horse than the one that conceded the lead to Acclamation in last year's Pacific Classic. If Acclamation takes his streak to 8 in the Pacific Classic, it will take a supreme effort in that race, one that should leave no skeptics.
Bsb Jaws More than 1 year ago
Game on Dude didn't concede the lead. He got it taken from him !! Game on Dude can go out fast & come home slow . Acclamation can go out fast & come home fast . He can go 12 furlongs & he doesn't get tired. He runs in racehorse time and comes home in racehorse time. Acclamation beat Dude by 10 because he's a way better horse. Nothing against Dude. He's better than most . I noticed Ron the Geek didn't ship out to run against Dude. He came when Dude wasn't around.
Jordan More than 1 year ago
Yes, Game on Dude didn't hand Acclamation the lead. The pace was legit for a 10 furlong race over Poly. Conceded was the wrong word. More like accepted the role as stalker. It's also possible that Game on Dude just doesn't have the same early speed on synthetics other than Hollywood's Cushion. He didn't make the lead in last year's Paciifc Classic and never got further up than midfield in Dubai. I also agree that on Poly, Acclamation is likely just a plain better horse than Game on Dude. Game on Dude wins wars of attrition on dirt and Cushion Track, going fast early, speading the field out, and just outlasting everyone in the lane. That's not the style that wins on turf or turf-like synthetics such as Poly. Acclamation's style, measured early and explosive late, is what wins on those surfaces. My main point is that if Game on Dude is in the Pacific Classic field, he will be gunned to the lead, even more aggressively than last year. P Val just needs to remember that Acclamation can win stalking. But if the pace ends up being crazy, and Acclamation is up close, it could leave him vulnerable to Richard's Kid's late run. RK is the biggest threat to Acclamation in the Pac Classic. Of course, all this assumes these horses remain healthy and make the race.