Go West Marie gives Truman first stakes win since 1999

DEL MAR, Calif. - Jockey Kent Desormeaux did his due diligence on Saturday morning, stopping by trainer Eddie Truman’s stable to talk strategy before he rode Go West Marie in the $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar later in the day.

It was a short discussion.

“He came by and said, ‘Do you want to talk?’ ” Truman recalled. “I said, ‘Are you kidding? You’re riding her. Don’t talk to me.’ ”

Left on his own, Desormeaux guided Go West Marie to a half-length win in the Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies. Desormeaux had Go West Marie within a length of pacesetter Sprouts for the first half-mile, took the lead in early stretch, and held off a threat from Wonderful Lie.

Sent off favored, Go West Marie ($5.40) ran seven furlongs in 1:22.29 for her first stakes win. It was the first Del Mar stakes win for Truman, 67, and his first stakes win since Casino King won the 1999 DeBartolo Memorial Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Remington Park.

Wonderful Lie finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of 10-1 Grazenette, who was followed by Bonus Spin, Shakeitupbetty, and Sprouts. There were two key scratches earlier on Saturday. Sunday Rules, the 8-5 morning-line favorite, was withdrawn because of illness, trainer Phil D’Amato said at lunchtime. Rovenna, the winner of two stakes for California-breds earlier this year, was scratched in favor of an allowance race later at this meeting.

Go West Marie, by Western Fame, is owned by Peter Redekop. Go West Marie has won 3 of 11 starts and earned $228,280. She raced in New York earlier in her career for trainer Gary Gullo, Carlos Martin, and David Donk before being acquired by Redekop and joining Truman’s stable at Santa Anita in the spring.