Final Mesa tests win streak in Sorrento

DEL MAR, Calif. – The North American tour for the 2-year-old filly Final Mesa arrives at Del Mar on Friday for the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes. If the result is anything like her previous races, she will leave town after an impressive victory.

Final Mesa has won three races easily – a maiden race at Keeneland in April, the Polly Drummond Stakes at Delaware Park in May, and the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine by 7 3/4 lengths in June.

The Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes will be her first start beyond five furlongs and part of a series leading to longer races this fall, owner-trainer Wesley Ward said.

“She breaks and is right there, because that’s what I’ve taught her to do,” Ward said. “Hopefully, we can stretch her out.”

Del Mar’s Polytrack synthetic surface should not be an issue for Final Mesa, who won on Polytrack surfaces at Keeneland and Woodbine. What does scare Ward was Final Mesa’s half-mile workout in 51.80 seconds Sunday, much slower than he would preferred. He said the filly did not wear blinkers in the workout but will wear them in the race.

“The only thing that concerns me was that she didn’t have such a brilliant work,” he said.

A similar situation occurred before the My Dear Stakes, when Final Mesa worked three furlongs in 39 seconds a week before the race.

Final Mesa must be at her best in the Sorrento, which has drawn a strong field, including the first four finishers of the Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 11 – Dawnie Macho, Izshelegal, Belleofthebridle, and She’ll Heir – and the maiden race winners A Z Warrior, Alienation, and Wickedly Perfect.

Dawnie Macho has drawn the outside post, seeking to extend her unbeaten streak to three races.

“She’ll have to run better to win, and I think she can,” trainer John Sadler said.

Izshelegal was second by three-quarters of a length in the Landaluce in her debut. She was at the back of the field early and closed from fifth in the final furlong.