Blue Chagall scores in Wickerr after ground-saving trip

DEL MAR, Calif. - Blue Chagall won his second restricted stakes in the last year with a ground-saving trip in Wednesday's $80,300 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar.

Ridden by David Flores, Blue Chagall ($24) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.19, finishing 1 1/4 lengths in front of pacesetter Aggie Engineer. Gallant Son, the 6-5 favorite, rallied from sixth in a field of seven to finish third. Ferneley, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile here last August, finished last of seven in his first start of 2010.

Flores had Blue Chagall on the rail in fourth place for the first half-mile. On the turn, Blue Chagall had advanced to third, and rallied to the outside of Aggie Engineer in early stretch before taking the lead. Flores had to wait for a few strides on the turn, but otherwise had a trouble-free trip.

"I was just hoping there was nobody running on the outside," Flores said.

The Wickerr Stakes was Blue Chagall's first win since the minor Lure Stakes at Santa Anita last fall. Blue Chagall has lost four subsequent appearances in Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes and two other races.

Owned by Prestonwood Racing, Blue Chagall, 5, has won 5 of 22 starts and $278,536. He could start in the $250,000 Del Mar Mile on turf on Aug. 28, trainer Julio Canani said.