Best Pal Stakes winner Creative Cause worked six furlongs in 1:12.20,
Friday morning under jockey Rafael Bejarano for trainer Mike Harrington
in preparation for Wednesday’s $250,000, Grade I Del Mar Futurity.
Breaking off at the five-eighths pole 11 lengths behind workmate
Nebikon and about five behind Swiss Lightning, Creative Cause was still
10 behind, clockers said, at the three-eighths pole, but made up the
ground from there, passing through on the inside to finish 3-4 lengths
in front while being given split times of :24.40, :35.80, :59.80 and
galloping out to seven furlongs in 1:25.60.
“He worked very nicely,” Harrington said. “It was very much what we
were looking for (time wise). If he looks good tomorrow (Saturday),
we’ll enter him. He’s ready.”
Creative Cause, a son of Giant’s Causeway owned by Heinz Steinmann,
won the Best Pal by 1 ¾ lengths in 1:15.62 for 6 ½ furlongs on August 7,
fastest time for the race on Polytrack, and worked a half-mile in
:48.40 eleven days later in advance of Friday’s exercise.
Entries will be taken for the traditional closing day feature, and the rest of the final card of the meeting, Saturday morning.
JOCKEY AND TRAINER RACES AT A GLANCE
Jockeys – Joel Rosario (38 wins); Thursday (1) Magoo (2nd,
$6.40); Friday, 4 scheduled mounts in races 1 (Irish Art, 8-5), 2
(Derrick Do, 6-1), 3 (Diamond Journey, 5-2) and six (Sahara Sky, 9-2).
Joe Talamo (37 wins) Friday (1) Roman Chic (5th, $6.40);
Friday, scheduled on mounts in races 2(Cost of Freedom, 7-5), 3
(Shezabigbroad, 6-1), 4 (Traweek, 12-1), 5(Absolutlypositivily, 5-1),
and 7 (Warren’s Baby Walk, 5-1).
Trainers – Mike Mitchell (19 wins); Thursday (1) Roman Chic (5th,
$6.40); Friday, three scheduled starters in races 3 (Carrie Rose, 6-1
and Diamond Journey 5-2) and 6 (Celestic Night 6-1). John Sadler (18
wins); Thursday, no starters; Friday, scheduled starters in races 1
(Cook Inlet 3-1) and 2 (Cost of Freedom 7-5).