Dabster gets first stakes win in Brubaker

DEL MAR, Calif. – Dabster, purchased for $1 million at a 2-year-olds in-training sale, won his first stakes in his fourth attempt in Wednesday’s $79,162 Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Dabster disputed the pace throughout the one-mile race and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over 7-2 Isotherm, the winner of the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes on turf at Santa Anita in 2017.

Dabster was timed in 1:38.64. Talamo said the 4-year-old colt benefited from constant pressure from his three rivals.

“I was hoping we’d hook up,” Talamo said. “I watched his replays and he likes a dogfight.”

Dabster led by a head over Ike Walker on the backstretch and by the same margin over Isotherm on the turn before taking a clear lead.

Isotherm finished a half-length in front of Ike Walker, who was 3 1/4 lengths in front of the 10-year Soi Phet, who faded from contention with a final quarter-mile remaining. Soi Phet won consecutive stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos in May and July.

Grecian Fire and Mubtaahij were scratched on Wednesday morning.

Dabster, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and trained by Bob Baffert, has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $192,225.

Dabster was third, beaten 8 1/2 lengths, in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap here on July 21. Catalina Cruiser, the winner of the San Diego Handicap, is entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar.