Pushiness takes early lead, keeps it in CTBA Stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. - In a matter of strides, the $125,500 CTBA Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday was over before it really got underway.
Pushiness ($3.20) took the lead a few jumps from the gate and was never truly threatened, winning her stakes debut by 1 3/4 lengths in the sprint for California-bred 2-year-old fillies.
“She’s really fast,” jockey Umberto Rispoli said as he left the winner’s circle.
“I was trying not to overdo it the first part. I wanted to get her running and let her come back and relax.”
Pushiness set early fractions of 22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.25 for a half-mile, leading by at least a length throughout. Crazy Hot made a mild bid toward the front on the turn but could not sustain the threat.
Pushiness led by three lengths with a furlong remaining and held off a threat from 5-2 Grand Slam Smile in the final sixteenth.
“Down the lane, I wanted to open up,” Rispoli said. “I know 2-year-olds can wait for company.”
Pushiness ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.75 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 73. Grand Slam Smile, the winner of the Fasig-Tipton Debutante at Santa Anita in June, held second, losing for the first time in her third start.
Grand Slam Smile finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Crazy Hot, who was followed by Putt for Dough, Fly a Fantasy, Stay Quiet and Stealthespotlight.
Pushiness races for Mike Repole and trainer Michael McCarthy. By Kantharos, Pushiness has earned $107,850.
Pushiness, who was purchased for $115,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton California Yearling Sale, won her debut in a maiden race at five furlongs by 5 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita on June 9.
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