Frey plans to stick around after Liam's Dove ($71.80) rocks Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf
DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Kyle Frey has had such a terrific summer at Del Mar that he’s going to stick around on this circuit, and rides like he gave Liam’s Dove on Sunday in the $103,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf figure to keep him busy.
Frey engineered a 34-1 upset with Liam’s Dove, who got over from a wide draw and led 10 rivals from virtually start to finish in the one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. She needed every bit of Frey’s deft handling to hold on and beat favored Helens Well by a head.
The victory was the 14th this summer for Frey, which puts him in a tie for sixth in the standings. It was his second stakes win of the meet. Though based most recently in Northern California, Frey said “damn tootin’” when asked if his success this summer will keep him in Southern California.
His move south was spurred by the results Abel Cedillo, Ricky Gonzalez, and Juan Hernandez have had since moving to this circuit from Golden Gate.
“I saw no reason why I shouldn’t fit,” Frey said as he walked back to the jockeys’ room after the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf. “They’re great riders. I’m not saying I’m any better or worse than them. But I thought there was no reason I shouldn’t fit.”
Frey had ridden Liam’s Dove in her debut, when she faded in a dirt sprint July 17. Hernandez rode her in her second start, a third-place finish behind Helens Wells in a maiden turf route on Aug. 15. Hernandez opted for Dolly May on Sunday, so Frey was tabbed by trainer Peter Miller to get back aboard Liam’s Dove, a maiden facing winners in a stakes race.
Liam’s Dove ($71.80), starting from post 10, was on her wrong lead the opening yards but Frey got her to switch to her right lead as she set off for the front while crossing over to make the top.
She went along at a good clip – 22.71 seconds for the quarter, 46.82 seconds for the half – but there was no tug of war between horse and rider.
“The fractions were quick, but her ears were flickering,” Frey said.
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Liam’s Dove opened a 2 1/2-length margin in upper stretch, then was fully extended to hold off Helens Wells while covering one mile on firm turf in 1:36.65.
Dolly May was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third, then came, in order, Urban, Dendera, Into Touring, Sax, La Deuxieme Etoile, Miss Bellatrix, Sea Breezing, and Distorted Diva.
Gary Barber owns Liam’s Dove, a daughter of Liam’s Map purchased for $120,000 at Ocala in April.