Planetario finally gets the job done in Hollywood Turf Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. -- In early September, Planetario failed to sustain a meaningful rally in the final furlong of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, finishing fifth of 11. The same thing happened in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, with Planetario finishing fourth.

In the final furlong of Friday’s Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar, Planetario rallied between rivals to score a mild upset and end a three-race losing streak.

Ridden by Hector Berrios, Planetario closed from sixth to win by a neck in the most prestigious victory of his American career.

Berrios, who rode Planetario to a win in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in June, said the difference between Saturday’s win and the two recent losses was a more relaxed horse.

“He was very comfortable,” Berrios said. “He responded and I urged him.”

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Planetario ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.02 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97, which equals his career best.

Fifth with a quarter-mile remaining, Planetario closed through a narrow space between the longshots Astronaut and Eastern Ocean to reach contention.

“In the stretch, it was a little close,” Berrios said.

After Planetario squeezed his way to the front, he was fully extended to hold off a late threat from Francesco Clemente, the 7-5 favorite.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Francesco Clemente closed from last in the final furlong with a wide rally to just miss.

“It was a tough beat,” Rispoli said. “He ran awesome.”

Rispoli rued that the temporary rails were set 24 feet from the permanent position, leading to a narrower turf course that can make stretch runs difficult for closers who rally wide.

“If the rails are down, I win by a length,” he said.

Lukka, a two-time Group 1 winner in Chile in April and May, finished third, a nose behind Francesco Clemente. Balladeer finished fourth, followed by Speaking Scout, Eastern Ocean, and Astronaut.

Balladeer, who finished ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, set a slow pace of 49 seconds for the opening half-mile and 1:14.07 seconds, leading by as many as 2 1/2 lengths. He was unable to sustain the rally and was beaten two lengths.

Planetario, trained by Richard Mandella for Red Rafa Stud, has won 7 of 15 starts and earned $266,548. Mandella’s stable is having an excellent holiday week, having won the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on turf with Linda's Gift on Thursday.

Planetario, a 5-year-old horse by the Cape Town stallion Il Doge, won consecutive Group 1 races at 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 miles on turf in Brazil in late 2021 in his final starts in that country. In the United States, Planetario has won 2 of 7 starts.

The $201,000 Hollywood Turf Cup became a goal after the loss in the John Henry Turf Championship, a defeat that put an end to any discussion of a start in the BC Turf.

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