From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 27, 2016) — Masochistic, the overwhelming favorite at 1-5, delivered as expected Saturday with a brilliant front-running victory under jockey Tyler Baze in the featured Grade II $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes.
Running versus only two rivals, Masochistic breezed to the front in the first few strides and was on cruise-control for the remainder of the seven-furlong sprint, Baze never uncocking his whip as his mount strolled to the wire three and three-quarter lengths in front of Vyjack, second choice at 5-2, with Indexical a distant third another seven and one-half lengths farther back.
Outside Nashville and Cautious Giant were withdrawn from the original field.
Masochistic, a six-year-old California-bred gelded son of Sought After, was bred by Francoise Dupuis & Louise Julian, is owned by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable and is trained by Ron Ellis. His time of 1:20.31 narrowly missed the track record of 1:20 flat set by Solar Launch in the 1990 Real Good Deal Stakes.
The Pat O’Brien Stakes is a “Win and You’re In” qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. However, Ellis said after the race that Masochistic will be pointed for the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Twin Spires Sprint at six furlongs Saturday, Nov. 5.
Earning $120,000 with his O’Brien victory, Masochistic increased his career bankroll to $772,550 with eight wins in 13 starts. To his backers, he paid $2.40. With only three starters, there was no place or show wagering.