Dewey's Special extends win streak at Del Mar
DEL MAR, Calif. - Dewey's Special won his third straight race since returning from a one-year layoff when capturing the $100,000 California Dreamin' Handicap for older California-bred turf horses on Sunday at Del Mar.
Dewey's Special ($8.60), prominent throughout, forged to the front with a furlong to go and safely held off Nitro Active and Bert's Law to win by three-quarters of a length under jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. Nitro Active nosed out Bert's Law for second.
Bold Chieftain, favored at 9-5 to win this race for the third straight year, finished sixth in the field of nine.
Ron Ellis trains Dewey's Special, 4, who completed 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.85. The win was his fourth in 10 starts.
Ellis said Dewey's Special, a gelding by Skimming, was off the track from April 2008 until May of this year because of an injured tendon in his left front leg.
"It was minor," said Ellis, who credited owner Dustin Moore with giving Dewey's Special time to recover. "Fortunately, we caught it early and gave him plenty of time."
Meydan Princess finishes strongly in Osunitas
Meydan Princess came charging through a narrow opening along the rail at midstretch and got up in time to take the $94,870 Osunitas Stakes for older female turf horses on Sunday at Del Mar.
David Flores gave Meydan Princess ($17.40) a ground-saving trip, and she closed resolutely in the final furlong to beat Restless Soul by 1 1/4 lengths. You Lift Me Up finished another half-length back in third. Bel Air Sizzle, the lukewarm favorite at 7-2, finished sixth in the nine-horse field.
Meydan Princess covered 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.69. The win was her first in five starts in this country, but she had been facing strong company in her last three starts, all at Hollywood Park, including the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Mile.
A dip into a restricted stakes race proved beneficial. Meydan Princess, 4, has now won four times in 14 starts. Jim Cassidy trains her for the Forging Oaks Farm of James Peyton.
"I always thought she was a good filly," Cassidy said. "She hadn't shown up yet, but she did today."