After Market runs 'em down in Read

DEL MAR, Calif. -- In his two previous wins, After Market got made-to-order setups for his late kick. His rivals in the Grade 1, $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Sunday at Del Mar tried a change of tactics by slowing down the pace, then attempting to dash clear on the turn.

But pace seems to matter not to After Market. Fast, slow, he can adjust. He reeled in both Out on Control and Rob Roy in the final furlong of the Eddie Read and pulled away late for a 1 1/2-length victory that should serve as an ideal prep for next months Arlington Million.

Thats the plan, trainer John Shirreffs said as, customarily, he stood off to the side while winners circle photos were snapped.

After Market ($3.40), ridden by Alex Solis, completed 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:47.36. Out of Control was second, 3 3/4 lengths in front of Rob Roy.

The Eddie Read was the third straight win for After Market, his second straight in a Grade 1. After Market, 4, has now won 7 times in 11 starts. He is owned by Marty and Pam Wygod, who bred the son of Storm Cat.

Rob Roy and Out of Control dueled for the early lead, but were going comfortably through the opening quarter in 25.09 seconds. The next three quarter miles were all run in 23 seconds and change, including consecutive quarters in 23.44 seconds as the leaders tried to spurt away from After Market.

I had to get him in gear at the 4 1/2, Solis said. I turned my stick up at the five-sixteenths, and at the eighth pole he just exploded.

* Later in the day, Spenditallbaby ($19.80) rallied from last to first to beat nine rivals in the $111,500 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies. Joe Talamo rode the winner for trainer Barry Abrams, who also is a co-breeder of the daughter of Unusual Heat. Spenditallbaby completed seven furlongs on Polytrack in 1:25.32.