Somerset West bursts up inside to win San Clemente

DEL MAR, Calif. - When Somerset West finished a fast-closing fourth in a maiden race at six furlongs on turf at Santa Anita in March, jockey Armando Ayuso thought she’d be a filly to follow.

More than four months later, Ayuso’s faith was confirmed when Somerset West closed from last of 10 to win the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar in a 35-1 upset.

The $202,500 San Clemente Handicap was the first time that Ayuso rode Somerset West since the race in March.

On Saturday, Ayuso guided Somerset West through traffic in the stretch, and stayed on the inside, reaching the front in the final sixteenth.

Somerset Way, who paid $73.40 as the longest shot in the field, ran a mile on turf in 1:34.76. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

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“I’ve had high hopes for her,” Ayuso said.

Ayuso said he followed Joel Rosario aboard 5-1 Inbox on the backstretch and into the turn, thinking that stakes-placed filly was a contender to track. Rosario went wide with Inbox, while Ayuso moved Somerset West to the inside.

“I wanted to see what we could get,” Ayuso said. “She was brave when she got inside.”

Inbox finished second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Raiding Party, the 8-5 favorite.

The stewards conducted an inquiry into the stretch run, reviewing whether an incident between Inbox and Wild Like the West in the stretch affected the order of finish. Wild Like the West was racing third at the time and was checked when Inbox moved out. Wild Like the West faded from contention late. No change was made after a five-minute review.

Inbox finished second in her second consecutive stakes in the San Clemente. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Inbox was second by a nose in the Honeymoon Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on June 6.

In the San Clemente, Inbox closed from ninth in the final half-mile, finishing with a rush to reach contention.

“I thought she was going to win in mid-stretch,” D’Amato said. “Joel put her in a good spot.”

Raiding Party, who started from the inside post, was ninth with a half-mile to go and closed with a wide run to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind Somerset West.

“It wasn’t the race I planned on riding,” jockey Ben Curtis said. “I had to take a wide trip. She probably was finishing better than anyone.”

Raiding Party was followed in the order of finish by Peanutbutterbombe, Ground Support, Cortina d’Amprezzo, Spirit Doll, Light Won Up, Wild Like the West, and Marjoram.

Somerset West, by Kantharos, races for owner and breeder Keith Abrahams and trainer John Sadler. After her fourth-place finish in her debut, Somerset West was second in maiden races for turf sprinters before winning a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on June 6 with Rosario aboard in her fourth start.

Sadler was quick to praise Ayuso’s decision to keep Somerset West on the inside at a pivotal point in the stretch in the San Clemente.

“What a great ride,” he said. “When I saw her come up the inside, I thought this is good.”

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