Diamond A Wins Del Mar Leading Owner Title

The Diamond A Racing Corporation of Gerald Ford, led by Pacific Classic (gr. I) winner Pleasantly Perfect, came away the big winner among owners at the close of the 2004 Del Mar meeting on Sept. 8.

Pleasantly Perfect, the top older horse at the meeting, accounted for $600,000 in winning the Aug. 22 Pacific Classic and also picked up a check for $50,000 for running second in the San Diego Handicap (gr. II) on Aug. 1. The 6-year-old accounted for the vast majority of the Diamond A winning total of $691,280.

Finishing second among the owners were sisters Marsha Naify and Christina Naify Zilber, owners of Blackdoun, winner of three 3-year-old stakes, including the Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT), during the 43-day session. The French-bred colt was voted Del Mar's horse of the meeting as well as top 3-year-old and top grass horse of the meet. The sisters, who race under the name Naify and Woodside Farms, took home $561,300.

Musical Chimes, winner of the John C. Mabee Handicap (gr. IT), garnered the most votes in the older filly and mare category.

Unanimity ruled in the sprinter and 3-year-old filly divisions. Kela, who won both the Bing Crosby (gr. I) and Pat O'Brien (gr. II) Handicaps, and Amorama, stunning winner of the Del Mar Oaks, (gr. IT), were runaway vote getters.

In the Juvenile categories, a pair of unexpected winners captured the titles. Declan's Moon was the stunning victor over Roman Ruler in stakes record time in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II) and won the vote as the top 2-year-old male. In the filly division, Sweet Catomine was a near-unanimous choice for her victory as a maiden in the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I).

Trainer Doug O'Neill took leading trainer honors with 28 wins from 126 starters and jockey Corey Nakatani was the leading rider with 54 wins from 212 mounts. Robert D. Bone won eight races to lead the owner's category.