From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2019) — California-bred Acclimate, masterfully-rated on the lead by jockey Florent Geroux, went to the front shortly after the start and won the marathon Grade II $250,000 Del Mar Handicap presented by the Japan Racing Association from wire-to-wire Saturday.
Acclimate, winner of the San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita in June, qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November since the Del Mar Handicap is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series event. He was bred by Old English Ranch, Sal Berumen and Patsy Berumen.
The five-year-old son of Acclamation, owned by the Ellwood Johnston Trust and Timmy Time Racing, set a comfortable pace in the mile and three-eighths distance test on the grass and had enough in reserve to score by one length in 2:12.71 over Oscar Dominguez. Ritzy A.P. was third, a length behind the second-place runner and a neck in front of Blended Citizen.
The Great Day, the 9-5 favorite, was fifth, while 2-1 supported Marckie’s Water was seventh and last. Withdrawn from the Del Mar ‘Cap were United and Arizona Moon.
Sent postward at 7-1, Acclimate, who is trained by Phil D’Amato, returned $16.60, $8.00 and $6.00 while earning first prize of $150,000 to elevate his total earnings to $325,872. Oscar Dominguez paid $11.40 and $6.20, while Ritzy A.P. returned $6.20 to show.