Chismosa rallies from far back to edge Big Summer in Betty Grable

DEL MAR, Calif. – A fast pace and a return to dirt allowed late-runner Chismosa to score her fifth career stakes win with the Betty Grable on Sunday at Del Mar.

Chismosa ($7.80 second favorite) rallied from next-to-last in the sprint for Cal-bred fillies and mares to defeat runner-up Big Summer by a neck. It was 3 3/4 lengths back to odds-on Pushiness, who finished third after being pressed through taxing fractions.

Tiago Pereira rode Chismosa for trainer Rafael De Leon, and the rider sensed the seven-furlong sprint might unfold perfectly. He knew she would benefit by a switch from turf to dirt. Last time out, Chismosa finished ninth in a turf sprint. “I asked, please, back to dirt,” Pereira said. All that Chismosa needed was a quick pace to flatter her closing rally.

“I saw before the race (Pushiness) was too fast, and I hoped (Roberta’s Love) would break,” Pereira said. His wish was granted.

Pushiness popped the gate, but Roberta’s Love also broke well from the rail and hounded Pushiness through an opening quarter-mile in 21.88 and a half-mile in 44.51. Pereira and Chismosa waited for the speed to back up, and it did.

Turning for home, Pushiness was spent. Big Summer inherited the lead, but Chismosa was rallying outside. The trainer of Chismosa had seen this act before.

“She scared me a little bit the last part, she never changed leads in (22) races,” De Leon said. “She didn’t want to change leads again.”

No matter. Chismosa wore down Big Summer, and finished the race in 1:22.74 to score her fifth stakes victory. A 4-year-old filly sired by Clubhouse Ride, Chismosa has won six races and $569,750.

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