Defunded shakes off bad start, takes Native Diver Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - A troubled start could not prevent the heavily favored Defunded from winning Sunday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar.

Defunded bobbled leaving the gate, but recovered quickly to dispute the pace with Go Joe Won. Approaching the stretch, Defunded took the lead under jockey Edwin Maldonado and rapidly pulled clear of five rivals.

Defunded ($3.40) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.12, finishing 4 3/4 lengths clear of 8-1 Azul Coast. Defunded earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

The first two finishers are trained by Bob Baffert for the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.

Maldonado rode Defunded for a second consecutive stakes win in the $150,500 Native Diver. Defunded won the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, the first time Maldonado was aboard the 4-year-old gelding.

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Recently, Maldonado reviewed Defunded’s past races and found clues that proved important in the first half of the Native Diver.

“I watched his replays and in two of his races he was second or third” early, Maldonado said. “I was riding confidently and he’s been showing good works. My job was to steer.”

Go Joe Won (35-1) set an early pace of 23.52 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.41 for a half-mile, but could never get farther than a half-length in front of Defunded.

Azul Coast, who had a slow start, closed from last to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of 9-2 Newgrange. Go Joe Won finished fourth, followed by Tizamagician and Parnelli in the field of six.

Newgrange was third early while racing between rivals, dropped back to fifth in the stretch and closed with some interest.

“I think he ran in spots and got a little intimidated between horses,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.

Defunded, by Dialed In, has won 5 of 13 starts and earned $608,100. The Awesome Again and Native Diver are his only stakes wins. Earlier this year, Defunded was second to stablemate Country Grammer in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

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