Lynne's Legacy parlays trip into victory in Solana Beach

DEL MAR, Calif. – A cutback in distance, drop into California-bred company, and a hot pace added up to a victory for Lynne’s Legacy on Friday at Del Mar in the $150,351 Solana Beach Stakes for older female grass runners.

Lynne’s Legacy ($10) had made her last three starts in open company in races ranging in distance from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles.

“We’d kind of tagged her as a marathon horse, but she never got any pace,” said her trainer Doug O’Neill. “Backing up to a mile, versus Cal-breds, and the pace was strong.”

Indeed, Lynne’s Legacy got a pace that was made to order, with the opening quarter in 22.80 seconds and half in 46.44 seconds. Last in the seven-horse field midway through the race, she closed fastest of all to prevail in a four-horse photo whose order of finish was altered several minutes later following an inquiry that did not involve Lynne’s Legacy.

Lynne’s Legacy, under Rafael Bejarano, covered one mile on the firm course in 1:33.92.

Pulpit Rider, the 9-5 favorite, finished second, a neck behind Lynne’s Legacy, then came, in order, Don’t Sell, Mo See Cal, A Walk in the Park, Fiery Lady, and Coco Kisses.

Pulpit Rider ran into traffic trouble at midstretch, then swung out, and that move caused Fiery Lady to check slightly, costing her fifth place, as she finished a nose behind A Walk in the Park, more than 2 1/2 lengths behind the top four finishers. The stewards – Grant Baker, John Herbuveaux, and Kim Sawyer – unanimously ruled to put Pulpit Rider sixth, behind Fiery Lady.

The DQ gave O’Neill the top two spots in the final order, as he also trains Don’t Sell.

Lynne’s Legacy, 6, has now won six times in 35 starts and has earned more than $430,000. She is owned by Maureen Richardson, Ritchie Robershaw, and Terri Tucker.