By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (July 29, 2017) – My Italian Babbo won Saturday’s $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar by a head, his second consecutive win by a slim margin.
The California Dreamin’ Stakes was the stakes debut for My Italian Babbo. My Italian Babbo ($7.80) closed from last to catch 9-10 favorite He Will in the final strides. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, My Italian Babbo ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:41.91.
“It was a good ride from Corey Nakatani,” Baltas said. “We got the bob.”
He Will finished two lengths in front of Soi Phet, who was followed by G.G. Ryder and Incredible Luck.
My Italian Babbo has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $224,226 for Cafarchia, who bred the 5-year-old gelding by Papa Clem.
My Italian Babbo is unbeaten in two starts on turf, and has won three of his last four races. My Italian Babbo will remain on turf, Baltas said. It was not clear on Saturday whether My Italian Babbo would start again at the current meeting, which runs through Sept. 4.
“He’s better on the grass and he wants to come from behind,” Baltas said.