Del Mar

Solid works for three Clement Hirsch contenders

Jay Privman|Jul 26, 2020

Ce Ce wins the 2020 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park

Coady Photography Ce Ce was not favored when she won the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on April 18, but she will be on Saturday in the Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The top older females Ce Ce, Fighting Mad, and Hard Not to Love all worked Sunday morning at Del Mar in preparation for the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch one week later.

The race is of particular meaning for the connections of Ce Ce, who is owned by Bo Hirsch, the son of the race’s late namesake. Ce Ce, best known for winning the Apple Blossom earlier this year, worked five furlongs in 1:01 under exercise rider Lidio Barrientos and then had a long, powerful gallop out.

“I think that was pretty good,” her trainer, Michael McCarthy, said as she came to a stop following the drill. McCarthy had Ce Ce galloping out seven furlongs in 1:26.40.

:: Play Del Mar with DRF! Visit our Del Mar shop for DRF PPs, Picks and Clocker Reports:

Fighting Mad, trained by Bob Baffert, flew through five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, while Hard Not to Love went five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer John Shirreffs.

DRF Headlines

View All