Ce Ce sets sights on Del Mar's Clement Hirsch

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ce Ce, who won her second straight Grade 1 race Saturday in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, has some family business to attend to at Del Mar, according to trainer Michael McCarthy.

“During the summer, her goal will be the Clement Hirsch,” McCarthy said of the Grade 1 fixture run over the same 1 1/16-mile distance of the Apple Blossom.

McCarthy noted the race is named for the late father of Bo Hirsch, who bred and owns Ce Ce.

Ce Ce was scheduled to arrive back at her Santa Anita base Tuesday.

In the Apple Blossom, she was a fast-closing head winner over pacesetter Ollie’s Candy, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 98. McCarthy watched the race in the apron stands, just past the wire in a designated viewing area horsemen must abide by due to restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“She was certainly picking them up,” McCarthy said of the stretch run. “Being behind the winning post, I couldn’t tell if she was a jump in front or a jump behind. I didn’t know.”

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After the photo, Ce Ce’s number was put up and she had secured her second straight Grade 1 behind last month’s Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. The win came in just her sixth start.

“She’s still lightly raced, still has plenty to learn,” McCarthy said. “She is certainly very talented, but seasoning-wise, we still have a way to go.”

McCarthy said next race plans are to be determined with the coronavirus disrupting racing calendars throughout North America. In the long range, he’d like to see her develop into a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

◗ Handle on the 11-race card from all sources Saturday was a track-record $19 million, eclipsing the mark of $16.9 million reached on a 12-race card April 11. Both were conducted spectator-free ontrack. The card Saturday featured the Apple Blossom and Count Fleet.