Grey Memo pulls upset in San Diego

DEL MAR, Calif. - Grey Memo pulled an upset in Sunday's $250,000 at Del Mar, rallying from last to win his second major stakes of the year.

Dismissed at 14-1, Grey Memo launched a wide run on the final turn and won by a convincing three lengths, finishing 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.48. Ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye at 116 pounds, Grey Memo ($30) easily beat Euchre and Congaree, who finished second and third.

"I knew if he kicked it in, he'd have a good chance," Delahoussaye said. "He took off."

Congaree was a disappointment. The 120-pound topweight and even-money favorite, Congaree set the pace and was 2 1-2 lengths in front in midstretch. But through the final furlong, Congaree faded badly, losing by 3 1-2 lengths. Nates Colony finished fourth, followed by Dig For It, Investor's Dream, Palmeiro, and Bosque Redondo.

The Grade 2 San Diego was Grey Memo's first win since the $1 million Godolphin Mile at Nad al-Sheba in March. He was unplaced in the Met Mile at Belmont Park and the Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The San Diego was Grey Memo's first win in the United States since the Ack Ack Stakes at Hollywood Park in June 2001.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Warren Stute, the 5-year-old Grey Memo has won 8 of 37 starts and $1,324,659.

"He's training better now than he ever has," Stute said.

* Ristra won her first race in the United States in the $64,800 Sandy Blue Stakes, a restricted race for 3-year-old fillies. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Ristra rallied wide on the final turn to win by 1 1-2 lengths over Fair Bianca. Got Koko finished third.

Ristra ran 1 1-16 miles on turf in 1:42.71.