Bonifacio takes tight Daisycutter at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. - Bonifacio closed from last in a field of seven to pull an upset in Friday’s $83,025 Daisycutter Handicap, much to the delight, and surprise, of winning rider Alonso Quinonez.

Quinonez was uncertain whether Bonifacio ($42) caught Pasar Silbano at the wire of the five-furlong turf race. “I was very wide,” he said. ”I thought I was a little bit in front.”

Bonifacio won the Daisycutter by a nose, taking the lead at the wire. The finish was so desperate that the owners and their friends cheered the replay while watching an infield big screen from the winner’s circle as if they were seeing the race for the first time.

Trained by Craig Dollase for Bruce Chandler and D.C. Graham, Bonifacio was timed in 56.03 seconds. Pasar Silbano finished a neck in front of Dotsy Jean.
Quinonez said he had no option to go wide when he reached the turn in last place.

“She’s got a big turn of foot,” Quinonez said. “I knew I’d have to go wide, but I had no choice. I thought it was best. She tried so hard.”

Bonifacio, a 4-year-old filly by Even the Score, has won 4 of 7 starts and $129,874. The filly began her career in an $80,000 claimer for maidens in June 2009 but has not raced for a claiming price since.