From Del Mar Publicity
DEL, MAR, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2021) — With equal parts courage and fine horsemanship, rider Tyler Baze and his filly At the Spa squeezed through the tightest of holes on the rail in the stretch, then went on to capture the 68th edition of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies Thursday afternoon at Del Mar.
The homebred 2-year-old daughter of Outwork proved a neck the best at the end of the five and one-half furlong headliner for California-bred fillies and earned her connections $57,000 from a total purse of $101,500. Final time for the race was 1:06.11.
At the Spa, now undefeated in three starts, is owned by the trio of Terry Lovingier (her breeder), Tom Beckerle or Saul Carillo. The victory pushed her bankroll to $164,580.
“We’ve been training her in the morning to run like this; to come from behind, take a little dirt in her face,” said Baze. “I think she gets more aggressive when that happens. Today I saw that hole (on the fence) and knew it was my only shot. My filly was up for it; there wasn’t much room there, but she got through. She ran like the horse I know she is. She doesn’t like to get beat.”
Finishing second was William R. Peeples’ Drizella, while third, just a head back, was Lovingier, Madiha or Navarro’s Madiha.
At the Spa paid $8.20, $4.40 and $3.60 across the board. Drizella returned $7.20 and $5.40 and Madiha paid $9.60 to show.
For veteran Baze, the score was his 39th stakes win at Del Mar. For trainer Jorge Periban it was his first.
“She showed me a lot today,” said Periban. “She showed that she can come from behind. Most of the time she breaks in front. We had a few problems in the stretch but we got lucky to get inside and get the money. We will wait and see about (next race), but maybe the Debutante (Grade I, September 5) and if we get lucky, maybe the Breeders’ Cup.”
In the track’s Pick Six Single Ticket Jackpot wager, the kitty rose once again for the 9th straight racing day as nobody could tab the final six winners on the card. The carryover into Friday’s eight-race card is now $747,277. First post Friday is at 4 p.m.