Istanford uses speed to capture San Clemente
DEL MAR, Calif.- Whether she is racing in Louisiana, Illinois, or California, Istanford has proven to be a tough filly to catch in turf races in the last year.
Istanford won an optional claimer on turf at Fair Grounds last winter, and her first stakes in the Grade 3 Arlington Classic on turf against males at Arlington Park in May. Saturday at Del Mar, she won an even more prestigious race, the $201,750 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over a mile on turf. As a Grade 2 race, the San Clemente is the leading win in Istanford’s 10-race career.
Her tactics were evident from the start. Jockey Rafael Bejarano had Istanford in front after the break and was never challenged.
“I said, ‘Break sharp and hopefully we’ll be on the lead,’ ” winning trainer Mike Stidham said of his instructions. ”With California speed, we didn’t know if someone else would go.”
Istanford ($22.80) set an early pace of 23.13 and 46.70 seconds, and ran a mile in 1:33.83. Istanford led by two lengths on the backstretch and won by 2 1/2 lengths.
Trainer Mark Casse finished second and third with 18-1 Tepin and 5-2 My Conquestadory. Diversy Harbor, the 5-2 favorite, closed from 11th to finish fourth, followed by Sushi Empire, Tiz Kissable, Sandiva, Miss Machiavelli, Concave, Morning Fix, Tiz the Key, and Sheza Smoke Show. Sheza Smoke Show broke through the gate before the start.
Istandford has won 4 of 10 starts and $328,365. Following the Arlington Classic, Istanford finished seventh of eight in the Grade 3 Regret Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs on June 14, her most recent start prior to Saturday.
“The mile and an eighth might have been a little far and she may not have liked the track,” Stidham said. “She likes this firm turf.
“She beat the boys. Everyone tried to talk that race down and say there wasn’t much in it. When a filly beats the boys, it means something. She’s pretty nice.”
Owned by Sam and Janet Alley and Ike and Dawn Thrash, Istandford could return in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on turf on Aug. 16, Stidham said.