Updated on 09/02/2012 1:48PM

Del Mar: Executiveprivilege barely remains unbeaten in Del Mar Debutante

By Steve Andersen
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Benoit & Associates
The 2-year-old filly Executiveprivilege improves to 4 fo 4 with her nose victory in the Del Mar Debutante.

DEL MAR, Calif.- Executiveprivilege was in all the right places in the stretch of Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Debutante.

A heavy favorite, Executiveprivilege rallied wide, seemingly the best place to be on Saturday, and caught an unlucky Beholder in the final stride to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante by a nose. The win extended Executiveprivilege’s unbeaten streak to four races, three of which have been in stakes.

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Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman and trained by Bob Baffert, Executiveprivilege leaves Del Mar as the leading 2-year-old filly in California. She very nearly lost that distinction in the seven-furlong Debutante.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Executiveprivilege closed 2 1/2 lengths in the final furlong to reach the wire in time. She was fifth and then fourth on the backstretch and moved closer to the front on the turn.

Executiveprivilege ($3.60) was timed in 1:23.43.

“I thought we’d won it,” Bejarano said.

Beholder, making her stakes debut, finished 4 1/4 lengths in front of Mechaya in the field of eight.

Through the stretch, Executiveprivilege raced well off the rail, leaving the margin between the two fillies difficult to judge when they crossed the finish. Trainer Richard Mandella thought that Beholder had won, while Baffert thought Executiveprivilege’s rally had come up short.

“We were all hugging and kissing, thinking we’d won,” Mandella said.

“I didn’t think she got up,” Baffert said. “I’m grateful that we got the photo.”

Beholder, ridden by Garrett Gomez, took the lead from the start, leading by 1 1/2 lengths on the backstretch through fractions of 22.44 and 45.34 seconds.

“She’s naturally quick,” Mandella said.

The win was a milestone for Bejarano, a record-tying 12th stakes win of the meeting. He equals the mark shared by four riders – Chris McCarron, Corey Nakatani, Laffit Pincay Jr., and Gary Stevens.

Executiveprivilege, by First Samurai, has earned $390,000. Bought for $650,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ sale of 2-year-olds in-training in April, Executiveprivilege won the Landaluce Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 14 and the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes here on Aug. 8.

She is a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

     

 

 

 

 

HandicapperErni More than 1 year ago
Rafael Bejarano now has a 12th stakes win of the meeting. Tying the wins that was shared by four riders – Chris McCarron, Corey Nakatani, Laffit Pincay Jr., and Gary Stevens. Well deserved that Bejarano having the record with these group of great jockeys. Could have a chance at passing the record.
JoyJackson21 More than 1 year ago
Great race! Exciting race! Executiveprivilege won that on pure class - she gutted out that win after running three and four wide all around that race track. Bejarano gave Executiveprivilege the "Go!" sign and she started flying in the stretch. I'm proud of her! And Beholder - fabulous, fabulous race from her! She was given a great ride by Garrett Gomez. She fought and fought for the win and lost it by just the teeniest of margins. She, too, showed a lot of class in this race today. Both of the these So. Cal. fillies have a bright, bright future ahead of them. I think we have the makings of a rivalry in Executiveprivilege and Beholder. I anticipate fireworks throughout their careers against each other. I'm going to enjoy watching both of them.
Juan Arrieta More than 1 year ago
damn. no love for a great win.Sounds like the talk about the west coast 3 year olds last year. See what happened at the Derby?
Todd Elliot More than 1 year ago
does juan think she is going to win the derby? hardly
Juan Arrieta More than 1 year ago
no just an example of the media and east coast bias raceing fans.
Todd Elliot More than 1 year ago
nice filly but she wont be as good at three and they got their money back and then some considering breeding down the road..race wasnt much and we all know what happens to two year olds..gone and forgotten at three
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Nice win. She has a bright future. Beat a nice filly today in Beholder.
jg777 More than 1 year ago
Filly seems to be regressing to me...very slow final 1/8th. The race before this wasn't so hot either she had to work hard. Looks like a nice play against chalk on BC day.
Andy Dean More than 1 year ago
I agree somewhat, but it depends...Baffert has the knack, as everyone well knows. Plus, I think she just knows what it's all about and where the wire is. He'll give her a well deserved rest. It's almost 3 months to the BC and that's a long time. Moreover, I think she just tolerates the artificial surface, and will be much better on dirt. JMO.