Lil Bit O’Fun surprises in Wickerr Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. – Lil Bit O’Fun was claimed for $40,000 at Del Mar last September. Almost 11 months later, the 6-year-old gelding has yet to lose for his new connections.
On Wednesday, Lil Bit O’Fun ($43.60) closed from eighth in a field of nine to win the restricted $95,500 Wickerr Stakes over a mile on turf, his third consecutive victory. Ridden by Aaron Gryder, Lil Bit O’Fun pulled clear in the final furlong, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over 19-1 Rangi.
Bright Thoughts finished third, followed by Boyett, Dry Summer, Te Rapa, Safety Belt, No Jet Lag, and Barocci. No Jet Lag was the 2-1 favorite. He was second early but faded in the final furlong.
Lil Bit O’Fun was the second-longest shot in the field. He ran a mile in 1:32.35.
The win clinched a pick six carryover of $67,343 for Thursday’s nine-race program.
Lil Bit O’Fun gave trainer Phil D’Amato a milestone first stakes win at Del Mar. He is the former assistant to Mike Mitchell, the track’s all-time leading trainer who has taken an assistant’s role with D’Amato.
Lil Bit O’Fun was claimed by Mitchell and won a $40,000 claimer for him at Santa Anita last October. After an eight-month break, Lil Bit O’Fun returned to racing, winning an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in June.
The Wickerr Stakes was Lil Bit O’Fun’s first stakes win since the Oliver Stakes at Indiana Downs in 2011, when he was trained by Tom Proctor.
Since being claimed last summer, Lil Bit O’Fun has earned $113,100 for Phil Belmonte, Henry Cohen, Mark Gorman, and Sterling Stables. Lil Bit O’Fun, by Langfuhr, has won 7 of 32 starts and earned $392,773.