Responsibleforlove lands first U.S. win in CTT and TOC Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – Through the 1 3/8 miles of the $80,980 CTT and TOC Handicap on turf at Del Mar on Wednesday, Responsibleforlove struck the rail in the first half-mile, raced unexpectedly toward the back of the field for the first mile, and was in traffic on the rail on the turn.

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

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

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

The result seemed in doubt until the final strides. Ridden by Joe Talamo, Responsibleforlove was expected to race closer to the front. She broke a stride slow, and settled in seventh in the field of nine. A 4-year-old, Responsibleforlove seemed comfortable even though she was well behind pacesetter Goldy Espony, the 3-2 favorite.

“She switched off going down the back,” Drysdale said.

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 Dynamic Mizzes K, who was followed by Kiss Me Now, Goldy Espony, Dreamarcher, Ginga, You’re A Goat, and Hiking.

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

In 2016, Responsibleforlove won a prep for the Italian Oaks, but was 10th of 14 as the 6-5 favorite in the Italian Oaks when ridden by Frankie Dettori. Responsibleforlove joined Drysdale’s stable last winter. The CTT and TOC Handicap was her fourth start in this country.

At Santa Anita in the spring, Responsibleforlove was second in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes in April and second in the Possibly Perfect Stakes in early June. Drysdale said stakes at Santa Anita and Kentucky Downs will be considered for Responsibleforlove.