Elektrum breaks through in John C. Mabee

DEL MAR, Calif. – Getting into traffic trouble is a common occurrence in Southern California. Ask anyone who navigates the freeways here. Since arriving from France, Elektrum had found similar traffic troubles in several of her local grass races, but she broke through for a stakes victory on Saturday at Del Mar by proving best in a blanket finish in the Grade 2, $250,750 John C. Mabee Stakes for older female grass runners.

Elektrum ($8.60), the second choice, had to move early on the final turn when other rivals made premature rallies, but she was able to stay in the clear and staved off her challengers through the lane to beat the late-running Queen of The Sand by a head.

The entire eight-horse field was separated by less than 2 1/2 lengths. Queen of The Sand was a neck better than Emotional Kitten, who was a neck better than Fanticola, the 8-5 favorite. Personal Diary was a neck farther back in fifth, with Notte d’Oro, Blingismything, and Stormy Lucy completing the field.

Elektrum, ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza, covered 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.55. She is owned by Kosta Hronis, who purchased Elektrum privately last year through bloodstock agent Hubert Guy.

“We liked her because she had run well on left-handed tracks like Saint-Cloud,” trainer John Sadler said.

Elektrum most recently had finished a troubled fourth in the Grade 1 Gamely, a race from which winner Hard Not to Like emerged to win the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga.

“If you look at her last race, she was probably best,” Sadler said.

Sadler said Elektrum will make her next start in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita’s fall meeting going 1 1/4 miles.

“That distance is right in her wheelhouse,” Sadler said. “I think she’ll be better going a little longer.”

Elektrum, 4, is by High Chaparral. She has now won four times in 15 starts and has finished in the money 10 times. She has two wins and two seconds in five starts in this country.