Curlin's Kaos runs Real Good Deal field off its feet

With a clear lead on the turn, Curlin’s Kaos proved impossible to catch in the stretch of Friday’s $153,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds at Del Mar, providing a milestone win for trainer Antonio Garcia and jockey Diego Herrera.

Garcia, 35, won the first stakes of his career, which began in 2016. For the 20-year-old Herrera, Curlin’s Kaos represented his first stakes win at Del Mar, and the second stakes win of his career, which began in 2021.

Curlin’s Kaos ($14.80) races for the partnership of Zephyr Racing and Sonny Pais.

Curlin’s Kaos was prominent from the start of the Real Good Deal Stakes at seven furlongs, holding a narrow lead through an opening quarter-mile in 22.20 seconds. By the end of the backstretch, Curlin’s Kaos’s advantage had widened, after a half-mile in 44.78.

None of the trailing 11 runners posed a threat in the stretch. Curlin’s Kaos won by 5 3.4 lengths over 5-1 Pure Madness, a second-time starter.

Curlin’s Kaos ran seven furlongs in 1:21.72 for his third third victory in 10 starts.

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Shady Tiger, the 3-5 favorite, finished third, never posing an expected threat. Shady Tiger entered the Real Good Deal Stakes on the strength of wins in his last four starts, including two stakes at Santa Anita. Shady Tiger was beaten 13 lengths.

The remaining order of finish was Tequila Talkin, Capo Luigi, Final Storm, Mio Bambino, Donnie the Chiro, Stay On the Fence, Prince Prancealot, Last Call London, and Oububbakakayo.

Curlin’s Kaos, a gelding by Clubhouse Ride, was fitted with blinkers for the first time since January in the Real Good Deal Stakes. This was the first race in his career in which he set the pace.

“I didn’t expect him to be on the lead,” Garcia said.

Curlin’s Kaos has now earned $258,520. Earlier this year, Curlin’s Kaos was fourth in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, losing both races to Stronghold.

After finishing seventh by 1 1/2 lengths behind Shady Tiger in the Snow Chief Stakes for statebreds on turf at Santa Anita on May 25, Curlin’s Kaos finished third by five lengths behind Wynstock in the Los Alamitos Derby on dirt on June 29.

“He’s been facing a lot of tough horses,” Garcia said. “I’m excited about him.”

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