Edwards Going Left makes Cary Grant first stakes win
DEL MAR, Calif. – Edwards Going Left earned the first stakes victory of his career Sunday when he won for the sixth time in his last eight starts, this time in the $101,380 Cary Grant Stakes for older California-bred sprinters at Del Mar.
A former claimer, Edwards Going Left has made steady progress all year for trainer John Sadler, winning a trio of allowance races plus a starter-allowance after capturing a maiden-claiming race back in March. He couldn’t handle Grade 1 company in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship in October, but has won twice since and might get another crack at top-class company in the Grade 1 Malibu on Santa Anita’s opening day Dec. 26, Sadler said.
On Sunday, Edwards Going Left had a clear, wide trip under regular rider Tyler Baze, who positioned Edwards Going Left just behind and outside a four-way battle for the lead. He moved to the lead entering the stretch, but was fully extended to hold off Solid Wager, who rallied from last in the 10-horse field and came up a half-length short of winning the Cary Grant for the third straight year.
Smokey Image was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third, then came California Diamond, Tribal Storm, Gold Rush Dancer, Prime Issue, Love My Bud, Jimmy Bouncer, and Green With Eddie.
“We liked having an outside post,” Sadler said in the winner’s circle. “He had to go wide, but the race ran to form, so we’re happy about that.”
Edwards Going Left, the 2-1 favorite, paid $6.60 after completing seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:22.98.
Edwards Going Left, a 3-year-old gelding by Midnight Lute, was claimed out of his debut for $50,000 by Sadler on behalf of his main client, the Hronis Racing LLC stable of Kosta and Pete Hronis. He finished a troubled sixth that day, then won his next start – his first for his new connections – via disqualification. He has not raced for a claiming price since.
Now 6 for 9 lifetime, Edwards Going Left earned $57,000 on Sunday to bring his career earnings to $231,390.