Led by two-time grade I winner Evening Jewel, a field of 10 sophomore fillies was entered in $150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) July 25 at Del Mar.
There were also three also-eligibles drawn for the program feature. The one-mile event is the local prep for the Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT) Aug. 21.
The super-consistent Evening Jewel, trained by Jim Cassidy for the Braly Family Trust, will be making only her second start on turf and will be turning back a furlong from the 1 1/8 miles she ran in her last outing, a winning effort in Hollywood Park's Honeymoon Handicap (gr. IIT) May 31 in her grass debut.
It marks the second straight start where Evening Jewel hasn't had to contend with Blind Luck, who has proved to be a thorn for the daughter of Northern Afleet—Jewel of the Night (by Giant's Causeway). Blind Luck edged Evening Jewel by the tiniest of noses in both Santa Anita's Las Virgenes and the Kentucky Oaks (both gr. I). Overall, Evening Jewel, who will carry high weight of 123 pounds, has been either first or second in nine straight races. Victor Espinoza will be in the irons.
Evening Jewel, an earner of $606,943, was bred in California by Betty Mabee & Larry Mabee.
Crisp, one of two John Sadler trainees entered, also holds a victory over Evening Jewel, winning the Santa Ysabel (gr. III) by a length back in January. Seventh in the Kentucky Oaks, Crisp also made her turf debut last out, finishing runner-up in the Le Cle Stakes July 1 at Hollywood.
The daughter of El Corredor won the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) in March. She'll carry 120 pounds, including Joel Rosario. Sadler will also send out C R K Stable’s Switch.
Another major contender is It Tiz, trained by Mark Glatt for owners Allen and Susan Branch. The Tiznow filly defeated Crisp and another San Clemente entrant, Crisis of Spirit, in the Le Cle. It Tiz will be ridden by David Flores. Crisis of Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, will be ridden by Martin Pedroza.
$150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT, Race 8, 5:30 p.m.), 3YO Fillies, 1 Mile (Turf) PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Crisp (KY), J Rosario, 120, J W Sadler
2. Fortunia (KY), T McNeil, 116, C Asmussen
3. Southern Fireball (KY), M E Smith, 115, D F O'Neill
4. Weekend Magic (KY), A Quinonez, 115, M K Cho
5. Switch (KY), M Garcia, 119, J W Sadler
6. Evening Jewel (CA), V Espinoza, 123, J M Cassidy
7. City to City (KY), R Bejarano, 119, J Hollendorfer
8. Crisis of Spirit (KY), M A Pedroza, 115, B Baffert
9. It Tiz (KY), D R Flores, 118, M Glatt
10. Repo (CA), C S Nakatani, 115, D F O'Neill
Also Eligibles:
11. Conniption (IRE), B Blanc, 114, S Callaghan
12. Got an Itch (AZ), A Bisono, 114, M J Pearson
13. Our Georgia (KY), T Baze, 114, N D Drysdale
