Master Merion a game winner in Let It Ride Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Master Merion earned a vacation after notching his fourth consecutive win in Wednesday’s $79,340 Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-old turf milers at Del Mar.

Trainer Wesley Ward said in the winner’s circle that he plans to rest Master Merion over the winter, with a goal of returning at Keeneland next April for a prep race that could lead to a start in a handicap at Royal Ascot in England in June.

Master Merion has certainly improved enough to justify such lofty plans. The Let It Ride Stakes continued a streak of wins that began with a maiden race at Belmont Park in July. Master Merion won a first-condition optional claimer at Del Mar in August before winning his stakes debut in the $250,000 Franklin-Simpson Stakes at seven furlongs on turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 14.

In the Let It Ride Stakes, Master Merion was confidently ridden by John Velazquez, who landed his first career stakes win at Del Mar in his ninth attempt in such a race.

Velazquez had Master Merion in fourth and then third for the first half-mile, stalking pacesetter Kitten’s Cat. With a three-wide move, Master Merion took the lead in early stretch and won by a length over 5-1 Harbour Master.

Kitten’s Cat held third, followed by Van Cortlandt, Monydontspenitself, Dangerfield, and Holiday Stone.

The Let It Ride Stakes was restricted to 3-year-olds who had not won a stakes worth $60,000 to the winner, other than statebred races, at a mile or more since April 1.

Master Merion ($4) was timed in 1:35. Owned by Vivienne Day and Kate Rose, Master Merion has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $338,840. A gelding, Master Merion is by Quality Road.

“He’s going to be something,” Ward said. “We’ll give him some time off now.”