Pure Tactics closes to win Wickerr Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The question of whether Pure Tactics is a turf sprinter or a miler was answered in Wednesday’s $86,350 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar. The 6-year-old horse can be called both.

Pure Tactics ($9.40) closed from fifth in a field of 10 to win the Wickerr Stakes by a head over pacesetter Winning Prize, winner of the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March 2014. Wilkinson, in his first start since Labor Day weekend in 2013, finished third, a nose behind Winning Prize.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Pure Tactics ran a mile on turf in 1:34.78. Prat had Pure Tactics in third with a furlong to go and closed well with a wide run to reach the front in time. Prat thought the margin of victory was greater.

“I thought I won by a neck,” he said. “I had a good trip. He’s very easy to ride.”

Pure Tactics races for Doug Cole and trainer Doug O’Neill. By Pure Prize, Pure Tactics won two stakes in 2014 – the Siren Lure Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in June and the Lure Stakes at a mile on turf last October. Earlier this year, Pure Tactics won the restricted Clocker’s Corner Stakes on the hillside turf course. He was third, beaten a head, in the Siren Lure Stakes on May 31 in his last start before the Wickerr Stakes.

Pure Tactics has won 10 of 25 starts and earned $431,106. The Wickerr Stakes was his fifth stakes win and fourth in California. He won the Barksdale Stakes at Louisiana Downs in 2013.