By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2023) – In a matter of strides, the $125,500 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar on Sunday was over before it really got underway.
Odds-on favorite Pushiness ($3.20) took the lead a few jumps from the gate and was never truly threatened, winning her stakes debut by 1 3/4 lengths in the sprint for California-bred 2-year-old fillies.
“She’s really fast,” jockey Umberto Rispoli said as he left the winner’s circle.
“I was trying not to overdo it the first part. I wanted to get her running and let her come back and relax.”
Pushiness set early fractions of 22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.25 for a half-mile, leading by at least a length throughout. Crazy Hot made a mild bid toward the front on the turn but could not sustain the threat.
Pushiness led by three lengths with a furlong remaining and held off a threat from 5-2 Grand Slam Smile in the final sixteenth.
“Down the lane, I wanted to open up,” Rispoli said. “I know 2-year-olds can wait for company.”
Pushiness ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.75. Grand Slam Smile, the winner of the Fasig-Tipton Debutante at Santa Anita in June, held second, losing for the first time in her third start.
Grand Slam Smile finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Crazy Hot, who was followed by Putt for Dough, Fly a Fantasy, Stay Quiet and Stealthespotlight.
Pushiness, bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, races for Mike Repole and trainer Michael McCarthy. By Kantharos, Pushiness has earned $107,850.
Pushiness, who was purchased for $115,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton California Yearling Sale, won her debut in a maiden race at five furlongs by 5 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita on June 9.