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, and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 71.
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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