Acclimate all the way in Del Mar Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – The pacesetter for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 has been found.

Acclimate won his second turf marathon of the summer in Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf, a race that provided the winner with an automatic berth to the BC Turf.

Ridden by Florent Geroux, Acclimate took the lead in the initial strides and was never challenged, winning the most prestigious race of his career. It’s a remarkable turnaround from last year when Acclimate won a $20,000 claimer for maidens at Los Alamitos last September.

Geroux rode Acclimate for the first time in the $250,702 Del Mar Handicap. He coaxed patience out of the 5-year-old gelding through early fractions of 24.12 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.70 for a half-mile. Geroux knew the pace was not burdensome when he peeked at the toteboard when the field went past the stands for the first time while leading by 1 1/2 lengths.

An expected challenge from Ritzy A. P. never materialized, Geroux said.

“He broke very sharply,” Geroux said. “I thought the two horse would be close. I out broke him.”

Acclimate led by three lengths with a furlong remaining and prevailed by a length over Oscar Dominguez. He ran 1 3/8 miles on turf in 2:12.71 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

“He felt strong,” Geroux said. “He was wandering around a little at the end.”

Acclimate and Oscar Dominguez were first and second in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on June 23.

Ritzy A. P., who was second for the first mile, held third in the Del Mar Handicap, followed by Blended Citizen, The Great Day, Itsinthepost, and Marckie’s Water. The Great Day, third in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park last month, was the 9-5 favorite. He was in a stalking position to early stretch, but was quickly out of contention.

Acclimate has won 6 of 16 starts and earned $325,872. He has won three of his last four starts since trainer Phil D’Amato began to emphasize longer turf races.

Acclimate, 5, races for the Ellwood Johnston Family Trust and Timmy Time Racing. This was Acclimate’s second start of the meeting, preceded by a last-place finish of 11 in the California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds at 1 1/16 miles on July 26.

D’Amato said in the winner’s circle that he altered his training approach with Acclimate following that loss.

“I switched a few things around,” he said. “I moved his works from the turf to the dirt. I think that legged him up. When he got on the turf, he thought he was floating on air.”