Mucho Unusual rallies to take San Clemente

DEL MAR, Calif. -- When the field passed the stands for the first time in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar, Mucho Unusual was last of 10. At the time, jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Tim Yakteen were on the same wavelength – they were surprised at the filly’s position.

“I thought I’d be third or fourth,” Rosario said.

“I was thinking, What is Joel doing,” Yakteen said.

This was new territory for Mucho Unusual, who had led or stalked the pace in past starts. The new strategy worked.

Rosario kept Mucho Unusual at the back of the field to the end of the backstretch when he launched a wide rally that carried his mount into contention. Mucho Unusual caught stretch leader Apache Princess in the final strides to win her first graded stakes in the $201,755 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies.

Sent off favored, Mucho Unusual ($7) was sixth with a furlong remaining, trailing by 2 3/4 lengths. She won by a neck in 1:34.66 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

“I didn’t know if I could get there,” Rosario said.

Apache Princess (17-1) closed from ninth to finish three-quarters of a length in front of 8-1 Over Emphasize. Apache Princess led by 1 1/2 lengths at the eighth pole.

“We were all excited,” said Keith Desormeaux, trainer of Apache Princess. “She cruised past the field so easily we thought she had it won.”

Keeper Ofthe Stars finished fourth, followed by Maxim Rate, Seranitsa, Stillwater Cove, Harmless, Kalliniki, and Devils Dance.

Rosario swept the two graded stakes at Del Mar on Saturday, winning the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap with Catalina Cruiser. He rode a patient race on Mucho Unusual, but has experience with the filly having ridden her twice last winter at Santa Anita.

Saturday, Rosario had Mucho Unusual on the rail on the backstretch and was five wide in the stretch.

“On the backstretch, she was ready to catch up,” Rosario said. “I took my time.

“I went to the outside after that. I was thinking of going to the inside. I didn’t know if I could get through there.”

Mucho Unusual is owned by her breeder, George Krikorian, who is in the midst of an outstanding opening week at Del Mar. His Hollywood Hills won the Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies on Thursday.

Mucho Unusual, a California-bred by Mucho Macho Man, has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $372,680. The San Clemente Stakes was her graded stakes debut, and third consecutive win. At Santa Anita earlier this year, Mucho Unusual won the $200,000 California Cup Oaks for statebreds in February (with Rosario aboard) and an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option against open company in June.