Royal Ship surprises Country Grammer in San Diego Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – Royal Ship, enjoying a firmer dirt surface than he found at Santa Anita and benefitting from a main track that had an outside flow all day, scored a 9-1 upset win over favored Country Grammer on Saturday in the Grade 2, $302,000 San Diego Handicap, Del Mar’s major prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic five weeks hence.

Royal Ship had finished third in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in his last start, behind There Goes Harvard and Defunded, two of his rivals in the San Diego. Earlier this week, Royal Ship’s trainer, Richard Mandella, said he believed Royal Ship was doing better over a Del Mar surface that has played faster than at Santa Anita.

What Mandella didn’t know then, but which played out Saturday, was the advantage to racing wide in the San Diego. Royal Ship started in the outside post in the nine-horse field, raced four paths wide the entire 1 1/16 miles, and came away from Country Grammer, who was three-wide throughout, for a clear-cut victory under Mike Smith.

“I’m learning more about him,” Smith said after the race. “He’s a thinker. I didn’t want to take away anything that came easy. Last time the track was deep and he didn’t care for it.”

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Royal Ship ($21) crossed the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front of Country Grammer, who was 4 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Stilleto Boy. Mandaloun, jostled about going into the first turn, made a mild rally after getting outside in the stretch and was along for fourth. Parnelli was fifth, then came, in order, Tripoli, Defunded, Senor Buscador, and There Goes Harvard.

Royal Ship completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:42.75. He was always prominent, stalking the early pace set by Defunded, who led while inside through splits of 23.71 seconds, 47.44, and 1:11.19 before fading.

Country Grammer was favored at 2-1. He was making his first start since a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup in March. He’s now 0 for 4 at 1 1/16 miles or shorter.

“He doesn’t quicken,” said his rider, John Velazquez, who said the steady pace at which Country Grammer goes will serve him better in the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic.

Royal Ship, 6, is a gelding by Midshipman out of the Val Royal mare Bela Val. He was bred in Brazil, and imported in spring 2020. He races for Fox Hill Farm and Siena Farm. Smith wore the red-and-white silks of Fox Hill, colors he donned most notably when riding the champion Songbird.

Mandella was unable to attend the races. He was home recovering from what his son Gary, his assistant trainer, said was a mild case of Covid.

“He’s fine. He just shouldn’t be around people,” Gary Mandella said.

Royal Ship has now won eight times in 18 starts. He earned $180,000 on Saturday to bring his career bankroll to $570,405. This was his third start of the year. He won the John Shear Mile in April at Santa Anita in his first start of the year. He was seventh in last year’s Pacific Classic before going to the sidelines. He’ll get a do-over in five weeks.