Merit Man too rich for Pirate's Bounty
DEL MAR, Calif. – Twice in a week, trainer Bob Hess Jr. has won stakes that disrupted racing plans for early September.
When Merit Man won Wednesday’s $94,540 Green Flash Handicap on the Polytrack synthetic surface, he earned $56,100, making him no longer eligible for the $90,000 Pirate’s Bounty Stakes over six furlongs on the closing-day program Sept. 3.
The Pirate’s Bounty is restricted to non-winners of a first-place purse of $50,000 since March. The same thing occurred Aug. 8, when Master the Blues won the Daisycutter Handicap. She is no longer eligible for the $90,000 CERF Stakes for female sprinters Sept. 3.
Hess was not complaining after watching Merit Man’s win. He was delighted to see the 4-year-old colt win the third stakes of his career and the first race since undergoing bone surgery to have a chip removed from a knee.
“He’s a good horse, and he’s run against some of the best horses in the country,” Hess said.
Merit Man won the Tim Conway Stakes at Santa Anita in October 2012 and the Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park in January 2013. He was third behind the eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the Florida Derby in March 2013.
In the Green Flash over five furlongs, Merit Man closed well under Kent Desormeaux to catch the pacesetting Remind Mee in the final 50 yards.
“This is one of the quickest colts I ride, so if they’re in front of him, they’re rolling,” Desormeaux said. “He’s a consummate pro.”
Merit Man races for the partnership of Bruce Chandler, Double Kee, and Purple Shamrock Racing. A colt by With Distinction, Merit Man has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $462,030.
The Green Flash originally was scheduled for turf but was moved to the Polytrack after Del Mar officials canceled all turf sprints in late July following a series of injuries on the course.
◗ There were four workouts on turf Thursday, the first since late July. Turf workouts were suspended after concerns arose regarding the firmness of the course and in an effort to reduce wear and tear.
On Thursday, three horses trained by Neil Drysdale and one trained by Ron McAnally exercised on the course at 10 a.m. Fire With Fire, the winner of the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita on May 24, worked six furlongs in 1:16.80.