Solid Wager Repeats in Cary Grant

From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2016) — Rallying from last place under jockey Victor Espinoza, Solid Wager, the defending race champion, forged ahead in the final strides to win the featured $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligible Sunday at Del Mar.
Providing Espinoza and trainer Peter Miller with their third victories of the afternoon, Solid Wager, the 5-2 second choice in a field of eight older Thoroughbreds, scored by a half-length over Grazen Sky, with Acceptance third and Gold Rush Dancer fourth. Magic Mark, the 2-1 favorite, was fifth.
“At first I was cussing Victor (Espinoza) wondering why he was so far back,” said Miller. “Then he winds up with this amazing move, and what can you say about Victor, there’s a reason he’s the best. It means a lot to win for the owners of this horse, who are really good friends of mine and great clients.
Solid Wager, bred by Madera Thoroughbreds and owned by Barber, Barber and Stanford Stable, negotiated the seven-furlong sprint in 1:22.51 to earn first money of $57,000. It was the five-year-old Birdonthewire gelding’s seventh win in 30 starts and first triumph since he won the Grant Stakes last fall. His career earnings are $429,921.
“I wish there were more seven-eighths Cal-bred races for this horse. They obviously went fast enough to set up his late kick, he’s got a great three-eighths of a mile run in him and Victor rides him fantastically. I’ve had this horse since he was a 2-year-old, so it’s a lot of fun and great to win this race back-to-back.”
Solid Wager returned $7.60, $4.20 and $3.20; Grazen Sky, who went postward at 6-1, paid $6.40 and $4 while Acceptance returned $5.20 to show.
Solid Wager climaxed a consecutive riding triple for Espinoza, who also won the sixth race aboard Moe Candy at $10.60 and the seventh aboard longshot Start a Running at $25.40.
Miller’s earlier winners were Run Like the Boss at $8 in the fourth and T. Montana at $9.60 in the fifth.
There were no perfect tickets in Sunday’s Pick Six, so Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day program which begins at 11 a.m. will have a carryover of $82,426. Additionally, the single ticket Jackpot Pick Six will be worth $58,120.