Magnificat shrugs off shaky start, surges late in Tranquility Lake
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DEL MAR, Calif. - What looked hopeless immediately after the start turned out quite well for Magnificat in Saturday’s $101,500 Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar.
The 7-5 favorite, Magnificat stumbled leaving the gate and raced in seventh in a field of eight fillies and mares for more than a half-mile. Jockey Joel Rosario urged Magnificat closer to the front on the turn and took the lead in the final furlong.
Magnificat ($4.80) pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths in her first start at a mile.
“She stumbled very badly,” Rosario said. “She’s so athletic. She could pick up her feet and get up.
“She was the best horse in the race. It’s not easy to do that.”
The Tranquility Lake was restricted to non-winners of a stakes worth $50,000 or more to the winner in races at a mile or more since Feb. 1, other than in statebred stakes.
Magnificat was timed in 1:38.03.
“She’s a talented filly,” Rosario said. “First time going two turns, she was able to keep it going.”
Our Moonlight (9-1) closed from fifth through the final half-mile to finish second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of 44-1 Rosie Jeeks.
Amorita finished fourth, followed by Howin, So There She Was, Surf Song and Mi Confesion. Catalina Cocktail and Lavendar Love were scratched by trainers John Sadler and Richard Baltas.
The Tranquility Lake was the first start for Howin since she finished third in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita last September. Howin was the 2-1 second choice in the Tranquility Lake. She was beaten 10 1/4 lengths after racing in sixth on the backstretch.
Magnificat, a 4-year-old by Omaha Beach, races for owner and breeder Spendthrift Farm and trainer Richard Mandella. Magnificat has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $299,200.
Earlier this year, she won the $98,000 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita in June and was second to the sprint star Sweet Azteca in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 4.
Until Saturday, the Great Lady M. Stakes equaled Magnificat’s longest race.
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