Appealing Tale finally nabs stakes in Pat O'Brien

DEL MAR, Calif. – Finally, in his last start of the summer, there was a stakes win awaiting Appealing Tale in Saturday’s $245,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar.

After finishing second in the Grade 1 Triple Bend at seven furlongs June 27 at Santa Anita and second by a head in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles here July 25, Appealing Tale was on the winning side of the result in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at seven furlongs.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Appealing Tale led throughout, setting a moderate pace of 23.34 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.62 for a half-mile.
“After the first quarter-mile, I had a smile on my face,” Talamo said.

Wild Dude, ridden by Flavien Prat, was within a head of Appealing Tale at the eighth pole, but could not get closer. Appealing Tale ($4.40) won by a half-length in 1:21.40 as the favorite for his first career stakes win.

“Appealing Tale is exceptionally game,” said winning trainer Peter Miller. “At the top of the stretch, I thought Joe was loaded, but Flavien looked like he had a lot of horse.”

Indexical, a 7-1 outsider, was third, finishing 5 1/2 lengths in front of Kobe’s Back. Only four ran. Turnover was withdrawn early Saturday.

Appealing Tale races for brothers Gary and Cecil Barber. The 5-year-old gelding has won 5 of 24 starts and earned $533,322. The $150,000 winner’s share in the Pat O’Brien was the biggest payday of Appealing Tale’s career. Earlier this year, Appealing Tale was second in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

The Pat O’Brien is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 30. Miller indicated the BC Dirt Mile will be an autumn goal for Appealing Tale, who is by Tale of the Cat.