On the Whim holds off Old Pal for California Dreamin' victory
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DEL MAR, Calif. - On the Whim repelled a challenge from Mr. Disrespectful on the turn and Old Pal in the final strides to win Saturday’s $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar for the second time in three years.
On the Whim set the pace, and was briefly passed by Mr. Disrespectful before retaking the lead. Old Pal closed well to miss catching On the Whim, who won by a head.
Winning jockey Tiago Pereira said the presence of Mr. Disrespectful to the outside of On the Whim with more than a quarter-mile remaining “helped me a little.”
“He responded very well,” Pereira said.
On the Whim ($6.80) ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40.77. The California Dreamin’ Stakes was restricted to statebreds.
On the Whim set a modest pace of 23.95 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.77 for a half-mile, with Mr. Disrespectful always within a half-length.
Old Pal, the 9-5 favorite, closed from fourth in his first start since a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap here last November.
“He gave me everything he had,” jockey Juan Hernandez said. “He showed up. He’ll be okay next time. He needed the race.”
None Above the Law (10-1) rallied from fifth to finish third, a nose behind Old Pal. Santa Barbarian finished fourth, followed by Prince Dolce and Mr. Disrespectful.
On the Whim, a 6-year-old gelding trained by Dean Pederson, won for the first time in seven starts since the California Flag Handicap at Santa Anita in October 2024. On the Whim won the 2024 California Dreamin’ Stakes for the first stakes win of his career, which began in 2023.
On the Whim races for Harris Farms and gave the famous California operation its second stakes win in as many days. On Friday, He’s a Knockout won the Real Good Deal Stakes for 3-year-old statebreds.
On the Whim has won 5 of 17 starts and earned $400,505. Earlier this year, On the Whim was second in two turf stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita – the Sensational Star Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course in March, and the Crystal Water Stakes at a mile in May.
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