By DRF.com and DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2017) — Continental Divide rallied widest of all to win the first race of his career in Saturday’s $101,035 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old sprinters at Del Mar, a distance well short of what trainer Jim Cassidy hopes will be his ideal trip.
The style of the win left Cassidy impressed that a colt by Animal Kingdom, who won both the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup at 1 1-4 miles earlier this decade, could be effective at 5 1-2 furlongs on dirt.
“He wants to go farther,” Cassidy said. “For him to go 5 1-2, you try him out of his element and he still wins.”
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Continental Divide ($9.20) was timed in 1:05.27, and finished three-quarters of a length in front of 3-1 Smokem. Drizzy, the 3-1 favorite, closed from last of nine to finish third, 3 1-2 lengths behind the winner.
Espinoza said he was confident Continental Divide could handle a wide trip in which he was outside of six rivals on the backstretch and three horses on the turn.
“That was a nice move, a really nice move,” Espinoza said. “He can do that. He’s talented. When he ran the first time, he was green. I didn’t want to force him that day. He’s got time to learn. He looks like he could be a good horse. The breeding is good and he’s a Cal-bred, so that opens a lot of doors. He’ll run on, too.” ”
Cono finished fourth, followed by Schulace, Get Em Up Scout, Utah Ute, Bookies Luck and Hit the Seam.
Cassidy said Continental Divide may not race again at the current Del Mar meeting, which runs through Sept. 4.
“That price we paid for him ($245,000) looks like a fair one now,” said Cassidy. “Right from day one he has never, ever let anything bother him. You can set a bomb off next to him and he doesn’t care. He’s got the greatest mind. He’s not fully prepared yet. I’d like to see a little more weight on him and a little more color in him and get a little bigger and stronger. We’ll give him a chance now and see when he makes me run him again.”
Cassidy said the original plan was to start Continental Divide in a maiden race for California-bred 2-year-olds on Sunday, but feared the colt would not draw into the main body of the field. Continental Divide was supplemented to the Graduation for $1,500 when entries were taken on Thursday.
Owned by Deron Pearson Racing, Continental Divide was purchased for $245,000 at the Barretts May Sale of 2-year-olds in-training at Del Mar, the most expensive hip of the sale. He was bred by PT Syndicate #1.
Continental Divide was a game second to Smokem in a maiden race for California-breds on July 21. From two starts, Continental Divide has earned $69,000.