Somerset West likely headed to Kentucky Downs stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Somerset West will be considered for lucrative stakes at Kentucky Downs later this summer after successfully winning at a mile for the first time in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar.
Trainer John Sadler said Sunday that he is leaning against starting Somerset West in the next race for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Del Mar, the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 22.
Options on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Kentucky Downs include the Grade 2 Music City Stakes, a $1.5 million race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 5, or the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Oaks, a $2 million race at 1 5/16 miles on Sept. 9.
In the $202,500 San Clemente Handicap, Somerset West ($73.40) closed from last of 10 to win by a half-length over 5-1 Inbox in her stakes debut. Somerset West was the longest shot in the field and rallied on the inside under jockey Armando Ayuso to reach the front in the final sixteenth.
“She was a longshot because she hadn’t run two turns,” Sadler said. “She’s a nice filly.”
Sadler praised Ayuso’s ride.
“I’ve never seen that guy ride that good of a race,” Sadler said. “To stay on the rail, you have to be brave enough to try. Sometimes, you get stopped.”
Somerset West, who races for owner and breeder Keith Abrahams, has won her last two starts, beginning with a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf June 6 at Santa Anita in her fourth start.
Inbox is bound for the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, trainer Phil D’Amato said after the San Clemente.
“I think we’ll give it a go at a mile and an eighth,” he said.
D’Amato has at least two candidates for the Del Mar Oaks. Kensington Lane, the 23-1 winner of the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 4 at Saratoga in her American debut, arrived at his stable over the weekend.
A Group 3 stakes winner in Ireland in May, Kensington Lane was previously trained by Donnacha O’Brien.
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