Del Mar: Porfido still has winning touch at 10

DEL MAR, Calif. - There’s still plenty of spring in the step of Porfido, the oldest racehorse on the grounds, who rallied to win a $32,000 claiming race on the turf on Saturday at the ripe age of 10.

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A native of Chile, Porfido was born in August 2002, so his actual age has caught up with his record-keeping age. His win on Saturday was his 13th in 56 lifetime starts, his third in seven starts this year, and his third in four turf starts overall at Del Mar. He has earned more than $700,000.

“He’s such a cool horse,” said Eoin Harty, who took over as the trainer of Porfido late last year after Humberto Ascanio suffered a stroke. “He’s a beautiful horse, with a ton of personality. He enjoys his routine. He’s a pleasure to be around.”

Harty said Porfido has raced so often he anticipates his saddling routine.

“Once I’ve cinched his girth, I’ll go to stretch his legs, but he’s raced so often he’ll start stretching his legs on his own,” Harty said, laughing.