08/19/2012 11:18AM

Remington: Don Dulce holds on to upset Edward DeBartolo Memorial

By Mary Rampellini
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Dustin Orona Photography
Don Dulce (inside) prevails by a head over Nikki’s Sandcastle in the 1 1/8-mile Edward DeBartolo Memorial.

Don Dulce became a stakes winner on Saturday night, when he held off a surging Nikki’s Sandcastle in the $100,000 Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial at Remington Park. The 1 1/8-mile race was scheduled for turf but was moved to the main track, which was rated good. Don Dulce won by a head, while Nikki’s Sandcastle finished a length in front of third-place finisher and 2-1 favorite Golden Yank.

Don Dulce ($21.60) was prominent throughout DeBartolo, settling in second along the rail as Safe Range took the field through fractions of 24.22 seconds for the opening quarter and 49.82 for the half-mile. Don Dulce drew even with the pacesetter through six furlongs in 1:15.04, took the lead into the stretch, and then was determined to the wire while winning in 1:51.52.

“At the top of the stretch, he just kicked into gear,” said Bryan McNeil, who rode Don Dulce for trainer Steve Asmussen. “He was on top of his game.”

Don Dulce, who races for Mike Langford of Jonesboro, Ark., earned $60,000 for the win in the DeBartolo. He is a 4-year-old by Maria’s Mon, and his record now stands at 4 wins from 15 starts for earnings of $193,529.