From DMTC Publicity and DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 4, 2017) — Fanticola and Scardino’s Long Hot Summer rallied to the lead along the rail in the upper stretch under jockey Joe Talamo and went on to record a one-length triumph in the featured $93,800 Daisycutter Handicap Friday at Del Mar.
Long Hot Summer, a five-year-old California-bred daughter of Street Boss, was third, beaten a half-length, in the 2016 renewal of the Daisycutter to So Sweetitiz, but was able to get the job done in convincing style Friday. Bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo, Long Hot Summer has won 6 of 16 starts and $409,194. She won the 2014 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds at the Del Mar summer meeting.
The Daisycutter was Long Hot Summer’s first win since an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf here last September. She was later fifth in the California Distaff Handicap on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita last October and seventh in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf here last December, prompting talk of retirement.
“She went sour on me last year, and we couldn’t figure out why,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “We were considering retiring her. Joe Scardino and Tony Fanticola were gracious. I said, ‘I believe in the filly.”
D’Amato said Long Hot Summer is likely to be retired in coming months to be bred, with a few more starts likely. She was second in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in June 2015, but is more effective in sprints.
In June, Long Hot Summer was a troubled fourth in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
“Anything around one turn is up her alley,” D’Amato said. “Hopefully, we can get a few more runs out of her.”
Watch This Cat, the even-money favorite piloted by Rafael Bejarano, shaded Bad Ju Ju by a neck for the runner-up spot, with Anita Partner another length and one-quarter away in fourth. Longshot Woodacouldadid was fifth and last. Pre-race favorite Desert Steel was withdrawn Friday morning.
Long Hot Summer provided D’Amato with his fourth stakes success out of six over-all wins at the current meeting.
Long Hot Summer went postward as the 3-1 third choice and returned $8, $3 and $2.60 after her sixth victory in 16 career starts. Time for the five furlongs over the infield grass course was :56.31.
Watch This Cat paid $2.80 and $2.40, while Bad Ju Ju returned $3 to show.