Creative Instinct shows the way in Generous Portion Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Fillies such as Creative Instinct are part of the reason veteran jockey Tyler Baze is having his best summer at Del Mar in years.

Creative Instinct won her debut in a maiden race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 1 with Baze aboard. Wednesday, Creative Instinct handled the leap into the stakes division with a victory in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies.

Similar to the maiden race win, Creative Instinct ($2.80) fought for the lead, this time with 5-1 Mucho Unusual, before drawing off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over that rival, a first-time starter. Mucho Unusual faded in the stretch, but finished 5 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Swing Thoughts, who was 24-1.

Baze had a clear idea of being near the front and said the presence of a rival was not detrimental.

“I wanted to get her out like last time,” Baze said. “When that other filly stayed in there, that was fine.”

Creative Instinct ran six furlongs in 1:12.24. Swing Thoughts was followed by Time for Suzzie, Dichotomy, and Be Lifted Up. Give Me a Hint was scratched earlier this week.

Owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller, Creative Instinct has earned $93,000 from her two wins. By Creative Cause, Creative Instinct was purchased for $285,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training in March.

“She’s crying out for two turns,” Baze said.

Baze, 35, has won 24 races at Del Mar this summer and ranks third in the standings. He won 35 races at 2008 meeting and 32 the following year. More recently, Baze won 23 races at the 2016 summer meeting.