Del Mar a tonic for City to City

DEL MAR, Calif. - City to City had lost four straight races, but a return to her favorite turf course at Del Mar got her back to the winner’s circle on Sunday following the John C. Mabee Stakes. Her trainer and co-owner, Jerry Hollendorfer, is eager to run her once more this meet.

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Hollendorfer wants City to City to come back in the Grade 2, $250,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap on Sept. 3. City to City won that race last year, when it was known as the Palomar Handicap.

The Mabee gave City to City a record of 2 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 4 turf starts at Del Mar.

“We think she likes Del Mar best,” Hollendorfer said.

City to City also gave Hollendorfer back-to-back winners on Sunday’s card, which ended a 1-for-30 start to the meet for the Hall of Fame trainer.

“We needed that,” Hollendorfer said. “We’ve been stinking the place up quite a bit.”

Hollendorfer has a soft spot for City to City, who suffered a serious injury to her right front ankle here two summers ago in a workout.

“She’s overcome a lot,” Hollendorfer said. “And she’s the sweetest thing, too.”

Hollendorfer credited the rehabilitation done at co-owner Mark DeDomenico’s Pegasus Training Center near Seattle with enabling City to City to continue her racing career. He said the veterinarian Wayne McIlwraith was also instrumental in her recovery.

“I never thought she’d race again,” Hollendorfer said.

Now age 5, City to City has won 8 of 29 starts.