Layoff poses no problem for Speedy Wilson in Real Good Deal
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A nine-month layoff was no hindrance for Speedy Wilson in Friday’s $150,500 Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar.
Sent off favored, Speedy Wilson closed from sixth in a field of seven with a wide rally to take the lead in the stretch. Speedy Wilson won the seven-furlong dash for statebred 3-year-olds by 1 3/4 lengths.
Speedy Wilson ($5.20) was timed in 1:22.34.
Shea Brennan (5-1) finished second, giving owner and breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato a sweep of the exacta.
Drop Um, who was always near the lead, finished third at 12-1, a nose behind Shea Brennan, and was followed by Style Cat, Check’s On the Way, Western Freedom and Last Call Zondlo.
Last Call Zondlo set an early pace of 21.91 for the opening quarter-mile, but faded from contention on the turn when Drop Um took the lead. Drop Um was challenged by Check’s On The Way. The pair dueled for the lead briefly before Speedy Wilson reached the front under jockey Armando Ayuso.
Speedy Wilson, a colt by Tough Sunday, has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $241,650.
Speedy Wilson finished third and second in two starts at the 2024 Del Mar summer meeting, and is unbeaten since. He won a maiden race for statebreds at Santa Anita last September and his stakes debut in the Golden State Juvenile at seven furlongs at Del Mar last November on the undercard of the first day of the Breeders’ Cup races.
“He’s the real deal,” D’Amato said in the winner’s circle. “I could see him competing in open company and around two turns. He wants to run all day.”
Speedy Wilson was sidelined because of two bouts with illnesses since the Golden State Juvenile, D’Amato said.
Speedy Wilson is a half-brother to the Alexander-bred Lovesick Blues, who won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on July 26.
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