Charlie Em, Sunday Rules to Del Mar stakes next

Charlie Em and Sunday Rules will start in stakes at Del Mar in July and August after wins at Santa Anita on Thursday.

Charlie Em broke a 10-race losing streak with a dramatic win in the $78,550 Possibly Perfect Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 1/2 miles on turf. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Charlie Em ($11.40) caught 3-5 favorite Customer Base in the final stride to win by a head in 2:29.23.

The Possibly Perfect was Charlie Em’s first start over 1 1/2 miles. Trainer Paddy Gallagher said the 4-year-old filly will stay in distance races, with the $90,000 CTT and TOC Handicap over 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 22 a goal.

“I wanted to try it and see if it worked out,” Gallagher said of Thursday’s race.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Charlie Em was bred in Britain and began her career there. She won the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park in May 2013 in her American debut.

Sunday Rules extended her unbeaten streak to three races with an easy win in an optional claimer. Ridden by Mike Smith, Sunday Rules ($3.80) led throughout, winning by 8 3/4 lengths. She ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.69.

Sunday Rules won a maiden race and the Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar last summer before she was turned out. Thursday’s race was her first start since Labor Day weekend last year.

Nick Alexander, who owns and bred Sunday Rules, said the filly will be pointed for the $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies over seven furlongs July 26. Phil D’Amato trains Sunday Rules.

Thursday began on a sad note for Alexander and D’Amato. In the first race, their Mel’s Game injured an ankle on the backstretch of a $12,500 claimer and was euthanized, according to track stewards.