Observed boosts trainer Thomas' West Coast credentials with Del Mar Juvenile Turf victory
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Midwest trainer Jonathan Thomas plans to return to California for the Del Mar autumn meet in November, and on Saturday at Del Mar the trainer served up a reminder of his West Coast efficiency.
Observed, a debut winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis and the only shipper in the Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf, scored a $15.40 upset over 7-5 favorite Shadow Nation in the turf mile. Off in the Corner finished a length back in third.
Juan Hernandez rode Observed to the turf-mile win in 1:36.40; the jockey was surprised to find himself so far off the pace. Hernandez had done his homework watching the replay of the colt’s debut win.
“He broke really sharp (in his debut), I was waiting for the same thing,” Hernandez said. “He kind of surprised me, because he broke a step slow.”
It was not a problem.
Observed settled next to last, rallied outside in the lane, and won by three-quarters of a length. The winner, a colt by Mandaloun, is now 2 for 2 for a partnership that includes Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta.
The next turf route stakes for California 2-year-olds is the one-mile Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes on Oct. 4 at Santa Anita. That is the race Shadow Nation’s trainer Mike Puype is looking forward to. On Saturday, Shadow Nation was making his first start in three months and first around two turns.
“Pulling up he’s blowing really hard,” Puype said. “I’m not going to offer any excuses, but he’ll be a lot fitter for the Zuma Beach.” Shadow Nation raced in fifth position, and narrowed the gap late in a promising comeback.
Third-place finisher Off in the Corner pressed fractions of :22.48 and :48.04, put away pacesetter Itinerary into the stretch, opened up four lengths, then died to finish third behind runner-up Shadow Nation.
The fourth- through eighth-place finishers were Hoaxer, Golden Sentry, Itinerary, Missed Fortune and Cosmic Charlie.
The win by Observed was the first California starter for Thomas since late May. He plans to return to California for the fall meet at Del Mar, and race this winter at Santa Anita before he returns to the Midwest in spring.
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