Master the Blues tops off-the-turf Daisycutter

DEL MAR, Calif. – The suspension of turf racing for the past week – and turf sprints for the meet – compromised the plans of a number of horsemen at Del Mar, but it presented an opportunity for trainer Bob Hess Jr., and he took advantage of it by sending out Master the Blues to a victory Friday in the $96,560 Daisycutter Handicap for older fillies and mares.

Master the Blues was not one of the original 32 nominees to the Daisycutter, since she is far better on synthetic surfaces, and the race originally was scheduled for turf. But a week before the race, it was announced there would be no turf sprints the rest of the meet, which moved the Daisycutter to Polytrack. Hess called an audible, and last Saturday, the day before entries were taken, he supplemented Master the Blues to the Daisycutter.

“Coming off the turf was a blessing for our filly,” Hess said in the winner’s circle.

Master the Blues ($6.60) sat third behind two dueling leaders under Kent Desormeaux, found room when Uzziel could not keep pace, then wore down Kinz Funky Monkey in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck.

Kinz Funky Monkey was second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Uzziel. Tribal Spy, the 8-5 favorite, was fourth, with Our Pure Creation last. Delta Flower was scratched Friday morning, leaving a field of five.

Master the Blues completed five furlongs on Polytrack in 57.10 seconds. The victory was her seventh in 19 starts. This was only her second start for Hess, who put together a partnership to purchase Master the Blues privately for Del Mar’s Ship and Win program and bring her here from the East Coast.

Hess said Kathleen O’Connell, the previous trainer of Master the Blues, “deserves the credit.”

“She told us how to feed her, how to train her,” Hess said.

This was the seventh win this meet for the team of Hess and Desormeaux.

“I’m happy for Kent,” Hess said.