Conclude likely front-end target in wide-open Del Mar Derby
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The lack of clarity in the 3-year-old turf division in California has led to an open running of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sunday.
There is no shortage of contenders in the top race on an 11-race program that begins at 1:30 p.m. Pacific.
Conclude won the Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf in his first start around two turns July 21 and will race at 1 1/8 miles for the first time in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby.
Maltese Falcon won for the first time in any race in his seventh start in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 6, a fine performance but one trainer Leonard Powell fears will not be good enough to win Sunday.
The field of nine includes Panic Alarm, second in the La Jolla; Ah Jeez, who was third in the Oceanside; and the intriguing Almendares, winner of an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf in his American debut on July 23.
The strategic focus will be on Conclude, a winner of 3 of 5 starts for Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and Brereton Jones and trainer Phil D’Amato.
Conclude led throughout the Desert Code Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in May. He stalked the early pace in the Oceanside before taking the lead on the turn. Conclude is likely to lead in the Del Mar Derby.
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“Last time, he showed the ability to sit second off a speed horse,” D’Amato said.
“I was encouraged in his last race that he finished really strong on a turf course that I didn’t think was favoring speed early in the meet. We’re cautiously optimistic he’ll get the extra distance.”
Conclude and Ah Jeez were held out of the La Jolla to be prepared for the Del Mar Derby. Ah Jeez was beaten 2 3/4 lengths in the Oceanside Stakes after racing in traffic on the turn.
“I think he could have won,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.
With three wins in 12 starts, Ah Jeez is the most experienced runner in the Del Mar Derby. O’Neill said he has sensed improvement this summer from the colt, who races from off the pace.
“He’s a horse we’ve been excited about,” he said. “It seems like the light bulb has gone off. We need to see it first.
“He’s training with a lot of energy. With a good, clean trip, he can get it done.”
D’Amato also runs Almandares, a closer who won his third consecutive start, and first on turf, in the allowance race July 23. Almandares closed from eighth of 11 to win by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths.
The Del Mar Derby will be his graded stakes debut. In Ireland in March, Almandares won two six-furlong races on the synthetic track at Dundalk Racecourse.
Maltese Falcon tipped his stakes form with a second in the Cinema Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in June. In the La Jolla Handicap, Maltese Falcon closed from fourth in a field of eight to win by a length, finishing in 1:44.20.
“The final time was slow,” Powell said. “He needs to step up. I think there is more to him.”
With Conclude as a target, Maltese Falcon can be a factor late, Powell said.
“There should be a decent pace,” he said. “Hopefully, that should [help] his chances.”
Panic Alarm was 17th of 29 in the Britannia Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile at Royal Ascot on June 22. In the La Jolla, Panic Alarm closed from seventh with a wide move to lose by a length.
The Del Mar Derby will be Panic Alarm’s first start at 1 1/8 miles.
“I think he’ll be highly competitive,” trainer John Sadler said. “I’m up on his chances. He’s done well since the La Jolla.”
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