Free Closer dominates CTBA Stakes, may start in Del Mar Debutante
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DEL MAR, Calif. - There may be good news for the owners and trainers of the fillies that finished well behind Free Closer in Sunday’s $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for statebreds at Del Mar.
Owner and breeder Paul Reddam is contemplating a start for Free Closer in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 5, and not the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for statebreds the preceding day.
“That’s where you achieve value,” Reddam said of the $300,000 Debutante.
In the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs, Free Closer ($3.60) was the dominant runner in a field of six.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Michael McCarthy, Free Closer stalked the pace for the opening quarter-mile, advanced to second on the turn and was quickly clear of the chasing pack. She won by 8 1/4 lengths, in 1:04.40.
Hernandez was so far in front approaching the finish that he glanced over his right shoulder to assess the whereabouts of the competition.
“I felt I moved a little early,” he said. “I didn’t know how she’d respond. She took off.
“I saw no one was coming. I took care of my filly.”
Stay Bossy (9-1) closed from last to finish second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of 9-1 Strident Miss. Sentient Soon, who set the early pace of 21.77 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, faded to finish fourth, followed by You Trust Me and Jolene Fury, the 5-2 second choice.
Free Closer won for the second time in three starts in the CTBA Stakes. She has earned $101,092.
Free Closer won her debut in a maiden race for statebred fillies at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on May 23, overcoming a slow start to win by a nose. In the $222,000 Debutante Stakes at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on June 28, Free Closer had a troubled start and raced wide before losing by 12 3/4 lengths.
In the CTBA Stakes, Hernandez had Free Closer away from the gate without incident.
“Juan got her to settle in the gate,” McCarthy said. “She broke without incident.
“She acts like a filly with a lot of class. She showed an added dimension to level off and open up.”
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