Sunset Glow targets Del Mar Debutante
DEL MAR, Calif. – After four races at four tracks, Sunset Glow is staying at Del Mar for the rest of the summer following her win in Wednesday’s $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
Trainer Wesley Ward said immediately after the race that Sunset Glow will be pointed for the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante over seven furlongs here Aug. 30.
His reasons are twofold. Ward wants to try Sunset Glow in a Grade 1 such as the Del Mar Debutante and wants to find a race within a month for a filly who he said has a voracious appetite.
“In between races, she gets a belly on her like an old pony,” Ward said. “The plan was to go in this race because it’s close to the Del Mar Debutante.”
Sunset Glow ($8.60) led throughout the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs, finishing 3 1/4 lengths in front of La Grange, the winner of the Cinderella Stakes at Los Alamitos on July 13. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Sunset Glow set early fractions of 22.30 and 45.30 seconds without facing significant pressure.
Espinoza has been across the country and to Europe with Sunset Glow.
He was aboard Sunset Glow for a maiden-race win on turf against males at Belmont Park on June 6 and a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20. Sunset Glow was second in her debut at Presque Isle Downs on May 13.
Ward trains Sunset Glow for Ten Broeck Farm. The filly by Exchange Rate and has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $197,645. She was purchased for $140,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale.