Sadler starts meet with bang by winning Oceanside Stakes with Jasikan

DEL MAR, Calif. – The accomplishments last summer here at Del Mar for trainer John Sadler raised his personal expectations to such an extent that he said he didn’t get a good night’s sleep heading into the opening-day card on Wednesday, but Sadler should sleep soundly Wednesday night, as he picked up right where he left off.

Sadler won the first stakes race of the meet, the $117,357 Oceanside, with Jasikan, and the refrain will sound familiar. After winning eight stakes last summer, five in concert with owners Kosta and Pete Hronis, they teamed to win the Oceanside, perhaps setting the tone for another spectacular season.

Meet the new bosses, same as the old bosses.

“I didn’t sleep too well last night because I set the bar really high last year,” Sadler said in the winner’s circle. “A little nervous, Day One trepidation.”

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Jasikan ($5.80), the favorite, needed every inch of the one-mile grass race to prevail, as he got up in the final stride to nose out a stubborn Nolde. Rijeka was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third in the field of 12 3-year-olds.

Flavien Prat rode Jaskian, who completed one mile on the firm course in 1:34.93.

Jasikan, a colt by Bated Breath, raced twice in his native Ireland, winning once, before being acquired by the Hronis brothers and brought to the United States. Typical of many European imports, he broke slowly in his two prior starts in this country, in which he finished third in the Singletary and first in a first-level allowance, both at Santa Anita. Wednesday’s start was a bit of an improvement, though he was still well back early.

“He broke really slowly his first two races,” said Sadler, who has now won the Oceanside five times. “Today was regular slow.

“He’s just not a horse that’s very good from the gate, but he’s got a lovely turn of foot and as you saw he looped the field and came from way back.”

The post-race interview session with media members with Sadler alternated between questions about the race, and the Southern California circuit’s tumultuous first half of the year.

Sadler acknowledged that this circuit was looking for, as he put it, “a fresh start.”

“Hopefully they’ll get some things done at Santa Anita while we’re gone,” he said.

Sadler said he was “pretty upset and disheartened the way things have come out with Jerry here,” referencing Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who has filed suit against Del Mar owing to his being denied being able to run horses at this meet.

“He’s been my friend for 30 years,” Sadler said.

“I have to say the trainers have all been on board with all the changes that have been asked of us,” Sadler added of new safety protocols “The only thing that upsets us is having someone as a scapegoat.”

But after making his points, Sadler kept bringing the conversation back to the present, and the future, which for Jasikan should include a start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 1.

“Look, it’s a great day, the weather’s great, it’s a nice change of scenery,” he said. “It feels great to be back here at Del Mar.”

Considering Sadler’s recent success here, no one is happier.