Garcia looking to stay hot in Clement Hirsch
DEL MAR, Calif. – The adrenaline of winning a $1 million race, the anticipation of an upcoming Grade 1 race, and the wonder of youth all served jockey Martin Garcia quite well Sunday night into Monday.
He flew home Sunday night from New Jersey after winning the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth with Bayern, got in well after midnight, but early Monday morning at Del Mar was out to work horses for Bayern’s trainer, Bob Baffert, including Fiftyshadesofhay, who went five furlongs in 1:00.60 in preparation for the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes for older fillies and mares here Saturday.
Fiftyshadesofhay, the winner of the Ruffian at Belmont Park on May 11, most recently was third in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on June 14. Both are Grade 2 races.
The Hirsch, at 1 1/16 miles, is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Iotapa, the runaway winner of the Grade 1 Vanity at Santa Anita on June 14, is the likely favorite for the Hirsch. She worked six furlongs in 1:13 on Sunday. Others certain for the race are Broken Sword and Doinghardtimeagain. Charlie Em, Kathleen Rose, Parranda, and Queen of the Sand are possible.
Broken Sword, idle since January, completed her preparation for the Hirsch for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer with a four-furlong work in 46.20 seconds Monday that equaled the best of 60 at the distance.