Mr. Disrespectful ($74.60) surprises with victory in The Chosen Vron

Mr. Disrespectful kicked well clear early under jockey T.J. Pereira to steal the $100,000 The Chosen Vron Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar, pulling off a 35-1 gate-to-wire stunner. 

The 6-year-old gelding was never challenged in the seven-furlong sprint until it was far too late, and he easily held off the fast-charging Lovesick Blues by three-quarters of a length.

The longest shot in the field of seven California-breds paid $74.60 to win. The $1 exacta with Lovesick Blues paid $142.

Winless in his last five starts for trainer Craig Dollase, Mr. Disrespectful was understandably overlooked against Lovesick Blues and the 6-5 favorite Big City Lights, both of whom ran in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last year.

But while those two and most other contenders were content to settle off the pace, Pereira managed an uncontested early lead aboard his longshot. He dashed through an opening quarter-mile in 22.08 seconds and half-mile in 44.33.

As the field rounded the far turn, Big City Lights and the last-out stakes winner Man O Rose both seemed to be in striking position, if slightly farther back than they might have preferred. But instead of returning to the pack, Mr. Disrespectful kept on, extending his advantage at the top of the stretch.

Lovesick Blues, who was making his first start for Librado Barocio since finishing eighth in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, made a valiant attempt in the final furlong. Jockey Juan Hernandez had the 8-year-old gelding flying late, but he simply had too much to do. Mr. Disrespectful easily held on, completing the seven-furlong distance in 1:21.01.

Pure Madness, a last-out allowance winner trained by Brian Koriner, was third, finishing 4 1/4 lengths behind Lovesick Blues.

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