Magic Mark, Soi Phet win divisions of Brubaker
DEL MAR, Calif. - Magic Mark and Soi Phet won divisions of the Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar on Wednesday to set up a potential first meeting at Los Alamitos next month.
Both are candidates for the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-breds at a mile at Los Alamitos on Sept. 10.
Soi Phet won the $99,145 first division despite a wide trip throughout the mile under jockey Kent Desormeaux.
Soi Phet ($4.20) was three wide in the six path on the backstretch and four wide on the turn before pulling away in the final furlong to win by 2 1/4 lengths over 15-1 Solid Wager. Soi Phet ran a mile in 1:35.05, the second-fastest time of the meeting at the distance.
Wednesday was the 29th day of the 39-day meeting, which began on July 15.
“I was so scared because he was going so wide,” trainer Leonard Powell said. “Kent was waiting and waiting, and I was hoping he had something left. He ran a good time.”
Soi Phet, an 8-year-old gelding by Tizbud, has won 10 of 47 starts and earned $705,096. Soi Phet races for Paul Viskovich, Gerald Benowitz, and Mathilde Powell.
Soi Phet won the McCann’s Mojave Handicap at Santa Anita in June.
Magic Mark ($23) disputed the pace throughout the $100,735 second division to score by 2 1/4 lengths over 18-1 Songforjohnmichael. Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Magic Mark was timed in 1:35.55.
Trainer Ron Ellis said being near the front is key for Magic Mark.
“When he gets dirt in his face, he’s not as brave,” Ellis said. “He’s got a high cruising speed. Drayden did an amazing job.”
Magic Mark, 6, races for Dorine and John Lanza. By Benchmark, Magic Mark has won 6 of 16 starts and earned $325,634. Magic Mark won the Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos in July 2015.