By Bloodhorse.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (July 28, 2018) — Gary Barber’s homebred Fly to Mars stalked a quick pace, hit the front at the top of the lane, and finished the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligible in a course-record time of 1:39.50 for the 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Fly to Mars scored a one-length win under jockey Flavien Prat. Sidney’s Candy set the previous record of 1:39.52 in the 2010 La Jolla Handicap (G2T).
“Wow. Unbelievable,” said winning trainer Peter Miller. “I’m shocked. The horse has really gotten good the past two months, since we took the blinkers off and have been getting him to relax. … The pace was good, but it wasn’t crazy, and he really kicked home. To set a track record is something.
“I thought he could win the race. To break the track record? That’s something you never think about.”
Favored Pee Wee Reese immediately took to the front and set fractions of :22.86, :46.12, and 1:10.16 through six furlongs, while Fly to Mars cruised in an ideal stalking second. Fly to Mars moved by on the outside in the stretch and held off a late run from Grecian Fire, who edged B Squared for second.
“It was take the break and look,” Prat said. “We got a good spot right away—good trip all the way around. When he switched leads for me at the head of the stretch, he really gave me a great turn of foot.”
A 4-year-old Ministers Wild Cat gelding, Fly to Mars has developed nicely for Miller since he debuted for a $50,000 claiming tag in June 2016. Switched to turf in October, he began to thrive and now has a 4-1-1 record from eight starts on the lawn, but the California-bred stakes Saturday was undoubtedly his peak.
Behind B Squared came Camino Del Paraiso, who was followed by What a View, Ashleyluvssugar, Pee Wee Reese, Well Developed, Accountability, Ward ‘n Jerry, and Alsatian to complete the order of finish.
Out of the Doc Gus mare Warren’s Flyer, Fly to Mars has a 5-2-1 record from 14 starts and $263,358 in earnings.