Ferneley back on top of his game
DEL MAR, Calif. - Ferneley's 2009 season was rejuvenated on Saturday with an upset win in the $238,000 Del Mar Mile.
Four months ago, Ferneley was the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 2 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields, but could only finish sixth. After the race, he was found to be suffering from a throat ulcer.
With that ailment far behind him, Ferneley gave the best performance of his 26-race career in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile.
Ridden by leading rider Joel Rosario, Ferneley rallied wide on the final turn and through the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths over the 4-year-old filly Allicansayis Wow. Lethal Heat, another 4-year-old filly, finished third in the field of eight.
Ferneley ran a mile on turf in 1:33.11 and paid $13.20.
Monterey Jazz, the 4-5 favorite, could only finish seventh under jockey David Flores. Monterey Jazz never reached a clear lead, as was expected, and faded through the final furlong. The loss surprised his trainer, Craig Dollase
"He wasn't himself," Dollase said. "David said he was happy with his position. When the running started, he didn't have much left. It wasn't the Jazz we normally see."
Trainer Ben Cecil felt the same way about Ferneley after the San Francisco Mile. The horse was given a three-month break after that race and returned to finish third after a wide trip in the restricted Wickerr Stakes here on July 31.
"He probably needed the race," Cecil said. "I felt he ran well."
Ferneley has won 6 of 26 starts and $405,824. Owned by Silver Springs Stud, Ferneley won the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes in Ireland in May 2008, his only previous stakes win.
The Del Mar Mile was part of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In program for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 7, but a six-figure supplemental fee for Ferneley means the horse will not be pointed for that race, Cecil said.
"It'd be nice if Win and You're In meant he's in, but he have to pay a supplement," he said. "We'd have to pay too much money."
Cecil said that Ferneley will be considered for the $1 million Woodbine Mile in Canada on Sept. 20.