San Luis Rey filly Zapperkat makes impressive debut

Zapperkat, a 2-year-old filly who took her early lessons at the San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall, made an impressive debut on Aug. 20 at Del Mar.

Ridden by Norberto Arroyo, Jr., Zapperkat came from off the pace to post a 5 1/4-length victory in a six-furlong maiden allowance race before a crowd of 24,155 at the seaside racetrack.

Zapperkat competed in the fifth race on a card that featured the $1 million Pacific Classic, the ninth race on the program. The Classic was won in dominating fashion by the best horse in the world, California Chrome, who easily defeated the super mare Beholder – the defending Classic champion – by five lengths in the 1 1/4-mile contest.

Richard Baltas trains Zapperkat, who recorded her first eight official workouts at San Luis Rey. Zapperkat had four workouts on the Del Mar surface in advance of her debut.

Zapperkat went off at 12-1 in the wagering and paid $26.00 to win after whipping 9-5 favorite Viva Vegas in 1:10.18. A Kentucky-bred daughter of Ghostzapper, Zappercat was purchased as a yearling for $27,000 and earned $37,000 for the maiden tally. She is owned by Bruce Chandler and J K Racing, LLC.

Well Measured, a 5-year-old gelding based in the Peter Miller barn at San Luis Rey, dead-heated with Navy Hymn for the victory in the eighth race on Aug. 21. Well Measured and Navy Hymn finished 6 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Kentuckian – the 6-5 favorite – while racing six furlongs in a very quick 1:08.49.

Well Measured was making his first start in nearly a year and paid $9.80 after improving his record at Del Mar to 3-for-3. Navy Hymn paid $6.20.

Victor Espinoza, who guided California Chrome to his epic win in the Pacific Classic, rode Well Measured. Navy Hymn was ridden by Rafael Bejarano.

The San Luis Rey Training Center has had 25 horses that it has housed win races at the Del Mar this season. The summer meeting runs through Labor Day, Sept. 5.