Amorama upsets John Mabee

DEL MAR, Calif. - The major turf stakes for females at Del Mar are becoming an annual career saver for Amorama.

Last year, Amorama won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 19-1, ending an eight-race losing streak. Saturday, in her first start at Del Mar since that race, Amorama pulled a 7-1 upset in the $400,000 , ending a five-race losing streak.

To trainer Julio Canani, her price was a surprise. "She never gets any respect," he said.

Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Amorama ($17.60) won the Grade 1 Mabee by a head over Island Fashion, finishing 1 1-8 miles on turf in 1:48.01.

Island Fashion, an 8-1 outsider, finished 1 1-4 lengths in front of an unlucky Intercontinental, the 6-5 favorite. Intercontinental was rank early and stuck in traffic in both the final turn and early stretch. She made up some ground in the final furlong, but did not threaten the first two.

The stewards inquired whether Island Fashion crowded Intercontinental in early stretch but made no changes.

Amorama was fifth for the first seven furlongs, chasing the moderate pace of 25.25 and 49.40 seconds set by 46-1 Smokegetenyoureyes. Racing wide, Pedroza brought Amorama into contention on the final turn. She was fourth in mid-stretch and reached the front in the final strides.

"I'm not surprised that she won," Canani said. "Today there was no pace and she delivered."

Owned by Marsha Naify and Woodside Farms, Amorama, 4, has won 4 of 18 starts and $600,261. She was third in the Grade 3 Wilshire and Grade 1 Gamely Breeders' Cup handicaps at Hollywood Park in the spring.

*Soldier's Kiss won her fourth consecutive race in the $100,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for state-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Soldier's Kiss led throughout and won by a nose over a fast-closing Gn. Group Meeting, and finished seven furlongs in 1:22.50.