M One Rifle leads throughout in Real Good Deal

DEL MAR, Calif. - M One Rifle used his speed on a track that favored such horses to win Friday's $100,000 Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar.

Ridden by Mike Smith, M One Rifle ($5.40) led from the start, set fractions of 22.72 and 45.64 seconds and was never bothered, winning by 3 1/2 lengths over Korban. J P Jammer was third in the field of nine 3-year-old statebreds. M One Rifle was timed in 1:22.32.

Smith knew that M One Rifle's speed would be an asset on Friday, a day in which front-runners dominated main-track races. "Being inside of the other speed, there was no other choice," Smith said. "When I caught a flyer at the start, it was best to put him on the engine. He did it so easy and gets under himself pretty fast."

The Real Good Deal Stakes was M One Rifle's stakes debut. Owned by a partnership that includes trainer Bruce Headley, M One Rifle has won 2 of 3 starts and $110,100. The gelding is by One Man Army.

After finishing third in this debut at Hollywood Park in April, he was a convincing winner of a maiden race by 4 1/4 lengths over 6 1/2 furlongs on July 5.