Responsibleforlove eyes Rodeo Drive after hard-fought stakes win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Responsibleforlove struck the rail in the first half-mile of the 1 3/8-mile CTT and TOC Handicap here on Wednesday, unexpectedly raced toward the back of the field for the first mile, and was in traffic on the rail on the turn.

Responsibleforlove found racing room in early stretch under jockey Joe Talamo and closed about five lengths in the final furlong to win the turf race by a head over 3-1 Place des Vosges.

“I didn’t think she’d get through,” winning trainer Neil Drysdale said.

Responsibleforlove ($10.20) won her first stakes in the United States in the $80,980 CTT and TOC Handicap. She won a stakes in Italy in 2016.

She could run next in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.

Responsibleforlove, who carried 120 pounds, was timed in 2:15.81. Place des Vosges, who carried 123 pounds after jockey Corey Nakatani, posted five pounds overweight, finished three-quarters of a length in front of third-place finisher Dynamic Mizzes K.

Responsibleforlove races for the Team Valor International syndicate and Gaynor Rupert. An Irish-bred by Duke of Marmalade, Responsibleforlove has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $134,879.