And Tell Me Nolies gets up in final strides of Del Mar Debutante

DEL MAR, Calif. - The exciting 2-year-old filly And Tell Me Nolies gave jockey Ramon Vazquez his first Grade 1 win in Saturday’s $301,000 Del Mar Debutante in the 36-year-old jockey’s first year of riding in Southern California.

The result was not determined until the final stride of the seven-furlong race.

And Tell Me Nolies ($21.60) closed from fifth to win by a head over 7-10 favorite Home Cooking. Vazquez had And Tell Me Nolies on the inside on the turn, found racing room as the field approached the stretch, but needed the entire final furlong to catch the stubborn leader.

“I was waiting for the hole to open,” Vazquez said. “I was waiting and when I asked her she responded.”

And Tell Me Nolies was timed in 1:23.29, earning a 71 Beyer Speed Figure. By Arrogate, And Tell Me Nolies races for Peter Redekop and trainer Peter Miller.

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Home Cooking, who was near the front through an opening quarter-mile in 22.01 seconds and led through a half-mile in 44.36, led by three lengths with a furlong remaining under jockey Mike Smith. She could not hold off And Tell Me Nolies.

“He got me,” Smith said of Vazquez. “We went a little quick. She was doing everything really as easy as I could ask. The track is lightning fast.”

Smith said Home Cooking was an eager filly as the field neared the turn.

“I didn’t move. She moved,” he said. “I didn’t ask her to be there. She took me there.”

Home Cooking finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of 5-1 Ice Dancing, a maiden. Vegas Magic, the winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 13, finished fourth, followed by Fast and Shiny, Kissed by Fire and Arella Star.

Satin Doll, fourth in the Sorrento, was withdrawn after becoming upset in the gate. Satin Doll was supplemented to the Debutante for $10,000 on Wednesday, a fee that was not refunded despite the late scratch.

And Tell Me Nolies was fourth in her debut in a maiden special weight at five furlongs on July 23 and won a maiden special weight race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 14. And Tell Me Nolies was purchased for $230,000 at auction earlier this year.