Evening Jewel completes Cassidy sweep

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Jim Cassidy completed a sweep of the opening weekend's graded stakes races at Del Mar when favored Evening Jewel captured the Grade 2, $150,000 San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies on turf on Sunday.

One day earlier, Cassidy sent out The Usual Q.T. to a victory in the Grade 1 Eddie Read.

"This is a little like hitting two grand slam home runs in the bottom of the ninth of the World Series," said Cassidy, a passionate New York Yankees fan.

Evening Jewel ($5.40), like The Usual Q.T., was ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Evening Jewel bided her time in fourth place during the early portion of the one-mile grass race, surged to the front before the furlong pole, and held safe City to City to win by three-quarters of a length. Weekend Magic was a head farther back in third.

Crisp, who was severely impeded coming under the wire by the first time by the rank Fortunia, courageously rallied to finish fourth. Fortunia faded to finish last in the field of 10.

Evening Jewel completed one mile on firm turf in 1:35.36. She is owned by Tom and Marilyn Braly. Tom Braly has been battling cancer. "This keeps him going," his wife said.