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Fly to Mars sets course record at Del Mar

The 4-year-old gelding Fly to Mars earned his first stakes victory, set a course record and capped a big week for trainer Peter Miller when he posted a one-length triumph in the $151,725 California Dreamin' Stakes at Del Mar July 28.

Fly to Mars was one of 11 horses based at the San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall to win a race at Del Mar during the second week of the seaside racetrack's summer season. Seven of those horses are trained by Miller.

The California Dreamin' was contested at 1 1/16-miles on turf and Fly to Mars stalked pacesetter and 2-1 favorite Pee Wee Reese from the start of the feature. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Fly to Mars overtook Pee Wee Reese at the top of the stretch and then held off Grecian Fire and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith to collect his fifth victory in 14 career starts.

Fly to Mars crossed the wire in 1:39.50, which eclipsed the previous course record of 1:39.52 set by Sidney's Candy in the 2010 La Jolla Handicap.

"Wow," said Miller of Fly to Mars' record-setting performance. "Unbelievable. I'm shocked. The horse has really gotten good in the past two months, since we took the blinkers off and have been getting him to relax.

"The pace was good, but it wasn't crazy and he really kicked home," continued Miller. "To set a track record here is something. I thought he could win the race. To break the track record? That's something you never think about."

Fly to Mars was the second wagering choice in a field of 11 and paid $11.20. Owned by Gary Barber, Fly to Mars earned $85,500, a payday that boosted his career bankroll to $263,358.

Miller's week got off to a good start when his millionaire Stormy Liberal won the fourth race July 25. Stormy Liberal, who won the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last fall, was an even-money favorite in a five-furlong allowance dash on the grass dash and the

6-year-old gelding prevailed by a nose over 3-1 second choice Tribalist.

Drayden Van Dyke rode Stormy Liberal, who got up just in time to edge the speedy Tribalist in a tight photo finish. Stormy Liberal collected $40,200 for the victory and has earned $1,261,770 in 27 career starts. Miller claimed Stormy Liberal for $40,000 in October 2016.

Miller had a training double July 26 when his 2-year-old filly Boujie Girl won the first race and his 3-year-old gelding Worthy Turk took the third race.

Boujie Girl, ridden by Van Dyke, won a five-furlong maiden claiming race by 3 1/2 lengths in her career debut. Boujie Girl was timed in :57.93 and paid $2.80 as a heavy favorite.

Worthy Turk was a maiden facing winners in a one-mile starter allowance race on the turf. Dismissed at 13-1 in the wagering, Worthy Turk edged fellow longshot My Friend Toney (14-1) by a half-length in 1:35.89. Apprentice Heriberto Figueroa rode Worthy Turk, who paid $28.20.

Miller's 3-year-old filly Naughty Sophie won the fourth race July 27, romping home by 7 3/4 lengths in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for $20,000 claimers. Geovanni Franco guided Naughty Sophie ($4.60) to the runaway victory in 1:04.47.

Miller had a training hat trick July 28. In addition to winning the featured seventh race (the California Dreamin'), Miller won the fourth race, a six-furlong maiden claiming event, with the 3-year-old gelding Kershaw ($3.20), and the eighth race, a six-furlong claiming sprint, with the 3-year-old filly Broome ($3.00).

Trainer Phil D'Amato won a pair of races with San Luis Rey-based runners, taking the sixth race July 25 with Amazon Cry ($12.40) and the third race July 27 with Thermopolis ($9.60). Amazon Cry won a one-mile starter allowance test on the turf by a head under Franco, and Thermopolis prevailed by a half-length in a one-mile maiden race on the turf under Tiago Pereira.

Trainer Richard Baltas took the seventh race July 27 with his 6-year-old mare Miss Boom Boom ($8.20), and trainer Edward Freeman won the second race July 29 with his 5-year-old gelding Salient ($13.20). Jockey Mario Gutierrez guided Miss Boom Boom to her win in a 1 1/16-miles turf race, and Franco hustled Salient to a front-running score in a five-furlong grass dash.

 

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