Black Mamba bounces back at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. - Black Mamba rebounded from a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park earlier this month to win Friday's $89,020 CTT and TOC Handicap at Del Mar.

Black Mamba ($3.60) won by three-quarters of a length over Lemon Chiffon, who led in early stretch. Black Mamba ran 1 3/8 miles on turf in 2:14.38, her sixth win in 28 starts. A 6-year-old mare, Black Mamba has earned $869,763.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Black Mamba was closer to the pace than normal, stalking Gloria Goodbody through modest fractions of 25.21 and 49.73 seconds. Lemon Chiffon rallied three-wide of the final turn to take the lead but could not hold off a sustained effort from Black Mamba.

The win gave trainer John Sadler an excuse to point Black Mamba for the $300,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 10, a Grade 1 race at 1 1/4 miles on turf in which she has finished third in the last two years.

Lemon Chiffon held second, finishing a half-length in front of Rosa Grace in the field of six fillies and mares.

Trainer Sean McCarthy said Lemon Chiffon will be pointed for the $75,000 Las Madrinas Handicap at Fairplex Park on Sept. 26.