Head of Plains Partners’ favored Fluffy Socks escaped tight quarters at the head of the stretch, then accelerated smartly to draw clear at the finish for a half-length tally in the Grade 3, $102,500 Jimmy Durante Stakes Saturday at Del Mar.
The daughter of the British stallion Slumber was handled by Irad Ortiz, Jr. for trainer Chad Brown and had to survive a claim of foul to earn the $60,000 first prize. Ortiz, Jr. and Brown had just teamed up with another eastern-based filly, Orglandes, at the shore oval Thursday to capture the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap for older distaff runners.
Fluffy Socks ran the mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:35.35 to establish a stakes record. The previous mark was 1:35.68 set by Elsa in 2018.
Finishing second in the Durante was Godolphin’s Javanica and running third was Red Baron’s Barn or Rancho Temescal’s Quattroelle.
Fluffy Socks paid $5.40, $3.40 and $2.60 across the board. Javanica returned $5.20 and $3.80. Quattroelle paid $4.80.
The winner increased her bankroll to $226,880 for her third win in five starts.
Head of Plains Partners’ is headed by Richard Rosenberg of New York, NY.
