Del Mar: Two-turn El Cajon likely target for U'narack

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DEL MAR, Calif. – U’narack, the winner of Friday’s $200,000 Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar, may be through with sprints for the near future.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Saturday that U’narack is likely to make his next start around two turns, with the $100,000 El Cajon Stakes over a mile on Aug. 30 a strong consideration.

Saturday, Hollendorfer was equally content noting that U’narack won his first stakes in the Real Good Deal, run over seven furlongs for California-bred 3-year-olds.

“We pointed to that race and we achieved that goal,” he said.

Owned by breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, U’narack ($12.60) closed from fifth in a field of eight to win by a half-length under Julien Leparoux. He finished seven furlongs in 1:22.23.

Leparoux had U’narack behind the leaders racing on the inside on the turn, and swung wide in the stretch before taking the lead in the final furlong.

“I was confident,” Leparoux said. “I wanted to save ground and come around them at the right time.”

Ambitious Brew, who unseated jockey Mike Smith and was briefly loose in the post parade, finished second.

U’narack, by top California stallion Unusual Heat, has won 3 of 5 starts and $194,080.

Hollendorfer said that the appeal of the El Cajon is that it is restricted to 3-year-olds and run at Del Mar.

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

“There are a lot of races around the country to pick from, but I’d prefer to keep him here,” he said.

Tiz a Minister, fifth as the 8-5 favorite in the Real Good Deal Stakes, could start in the El Cajon Stakes, although trainer Paul Aguirre said he would prefer the $300,000 Del Mar Derby over 1 1/8 miles on turf on Sept. 1.

Sutherland-Kruse wins first race in comeback

Jockey Chantal Sutherland-Kruse rode her first winner in California on Friday since she ended an eight-month retirement last month.

Sutherland-Kruse, 37, pulled an upset on Jaya Roo ($73.80) in the third race, a maiden claimer over 1 1/16 miles. The 3-year-old filly was the ninth mount of the year in California for Sutherland-Kruse. She is best known for riding Game On Dude to a win in the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap.

Tiz Flirtatious, Lady of Shamrock eye Mabee

Tiz Flirtatious and Lady of Shamrock, the second- and third-place finishers in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park in May, are the leading contenders for the $250,000 John Mabee Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/8 miles on turf next Sunday.

The Grade 2 Mabee is not expected to have a large field. Other probably starters are Journaliste and My Gigi, and possibly Customer Base. Marketing Mix, the winner of the Gamely, is nominated, but is expected to start in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 17.

The main race on Saturday is the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Rising Legend, who won a division of the Oceanside Stakes on July 17, is nominated, but will start in the Del Mar Derby. The candidates for the Grade 2 La Jolla are Dry Summer, Freakin Rocket, Greeley Awesome, Pure Loyalty, and Uno Dos Adios.

◗ Tryfan, a 3-year-old maiden trained by Bob Baffert, was euthanized on Saturday after suffering a sesamoid injury during a morning workout. Tryfan was nearing the finish line when he was stricken. Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard Tryfan but was not injured.