Hammersly's review: Gotta have speed

THE NEED FOR SPEED

The Sunday opener was run at 5 1/2 furlongs, and going into the race 17 of the 20 winners at the distance this meet were within a length of the lead after the first quarter-mile. Well, make it 18 for 21 as Grey Girl Gone ($23.80) went right to the lead under Martin Garcia, set solid splits (21.80, 45.19) and then drew off to win easily by 3 1/4 lengths over favored Ryderroo.

BELVOIR'S HOT RUN

Guinevere’s Finale ($33.40) was certainly ignored at the windows in race 2, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden dirt race, but her win continued a hot run for trainer Vann Belvoir. He has now clicked with 5 of his last 11 starters.

He had a chance to make it a cool .500 when he sent out Kate’s Event in race 8, but that guy was no factor.

OVER THE RAIL

Prior to the start of Sunday’s nightcap Queen Kalyrra got loose and crashed into the rail, ending up between the main track and the turf course. Fortunately, she wasn’t seriously injured (suffered a gash on her left shoulder) but it took some time to get her treated and extricated before the ninth race could be run.

BEJARANO NEARS RETURN

Joe Talamo is dominating the rider standings. While there’s no doubting his talent, it hasn’t hurt that the kingpin of the riding colony, Rafael Bejarano, has been out due to injury. However, Bejarano is working his way back to action and could be back before the July 17 opening day at Del Mar.

After suffering multiple injuries suffered in a spill here May 10 he could resume riding next month. “He’s seeing his doctor on June 24 and he should start rehabbing the next day,” said his agent, Joe Ferrer. “I would say he’ll definitely be riding before Del Mar, but I don’t know how long before Del Mar.”

HORSES TO WATCH

SMART N DREAMY
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Last Race: June 15, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/4

In her first start in 2 1/2 months she left herself too much to do. She broke slowly in this event at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course to be last early, was still well back coming out from behind the trees, began to advance after the dirt crossing, and finished with good energy.