Amalfi Sunrise shines in Sorrento Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The day after believing they got a raw deal with Square Deal, jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. and trainer Simon Callaghan on Saturday at Del Mar teamed anew to win the Grade 2, $200,351 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies with Amalfi Sunrise, who stamped herself as the favorite for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 31.

The win came about 21 hours after Arroyo and Callaghan were taken down in the Graduation Stakes with Square Deal. Moments after that race, after the disqualification was announced, a seething Arroyo was consoled by Callaghan, who told Arroyo, “You’ve just got to forget about it.”

Arroyo said the support of Callaghan meant a lot.

“Very much. If it wasn’t for him, I’m not saying I would have lost my mind, but I probably would have destroyed something,” Arroyo said. “Simon helped a lot. It meant a lot to me. He calmed me back down.”

With his focus properly channeled Saturday, Arroyo sent Amalfi Sunrise up to engage for the early lead, and she easily disposed of two pace rivals after a quarter in 22.50 seconds and half in 45.91 seconds before powering clear for an emphatic, six-length victory in the six-furlong race.

“I had a ton of horse,” Arroyo said. “Very, very nice filly, probably the best I’ve ever been on.”

Powerfulattraction closed from last in the six-horse field to nose out Shedaresthedevil – also trained by Callaghan – for second.

Shanghai Keely was fourth, then came Princess Mo and Comical.

Amalfi Sunrise ($3.40), the favorite, was timed in 1:10.96 on the fast main track.

“I was a little nervous when they all looked like they were going to go early,” said Callaghan, who said he was impressed with the way Amalfi Sunrise came home after that early battle.

Callaghan said he wasn’t thinking about the Sorrento when he tried to calm Arroyo on Friday.

“It was frustrating. I didn’t agree with the call,” he said. “But there are worse things that can happen in life.”

Amalfi Sunrise is by the red-hot freshman sire Constitution. She was purchased in April at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale for $185,000 by owners Doug Branham and Marsha Naify.

Amalfi Sunrise also provided Callaghan with his second straight win in the Sorrento, following Bellafina last year. She will attempt to give him his third straight win in the Debutante, following Bellafina and, in 2017, Moonshine Memories.