French import Mr Notorious shows good potential for Del Mar Juvenile Turf
DEL MAR, Calif. – Mr Notorious had barely walked out of the sales ring at the Barretts Paddock Sale at Del Mar on July 25 when new owner Deron Pearson and trainer Jim Cassidy announced plans for their $200,000 purchase.
A French import, Mr Notorious was considered a candidate for the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile on Saturday. Through August, Mr Notorious was trained toward that race, and his actions supported Cassidy’s expectations for the colt, particularly after a workout with a stablemate last weekend.
“He’s been a little green, looking around,” Cassidy said. “When I worked him in company, I saw a lot more life in the horse.”
Mr Notorious is the only import in the Juvenile Turf, which drew a field of 14 but will have 11 starters. There are no stakes winners in the field, although Annie’s Candy was third in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 8, Dubdubwatson was second in the Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park in Colorado on Aug. 16, and Swiss Minister was third in the Graduation Stakes for California-breds on Aug. 5.
Aside from Mr Notorious, four horses have won on turf – I’malreadythere, Hollywood Don, Hot Ore, and Rare Candy.
Del Mar Juvenile Turf, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Mr Notorious (First U.S. start)
◗ In France, Mr Notorious ran twice at La Teste, a seaside track. Mr Notorious beat maidens in his debut at about six furlongs on June 19 and was beaten a length in an allowance race 11 days later. He arrived in California in the days before the Paddock Sale at Del Mar.
There are high expectations for Saturday.
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“I have found nothing wrong with him,” Cassidy said. “Whether he cost $2 or $200,000, we’ll see how he performs on Saturday. I look for him to show something.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Mr. Notorious. Trainer James Cassidy is 9-0-2-1 over the past five years in turf routes with foreign shippers in the first start following a trainer switch. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Hot Ore (Last 3 Beyers: 70-53-44)
◗ Hot Ore was winless in two maiden races for sprinters at Santa Anita before winning a maiden race at a mile on turf there June 26. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Hot Ore led throughout the race and won by 7 3/4 lengths.
“It caught me a little off guard,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said of the win.
◗ Hot Ore drew post 11 and is likely to stalk the pace, Diodoro said. The gelding was rested in early July before resuming training and has been pronounced fit.
“He’s been working well,” Diodoro said. “He’s a fresh horse.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 11 Hot Ore. Trainer Robertino Diodoro is 25-1-5-3 with a $0.68 ROI over the past five years in Southern California with last-out maiden winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Hollywood Don. Dam was 9 for 20 on turf and a multiple Grade 3 winner. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan