Souvenir Gift Leads Sorrento Line-up

(from Del Mar track notes)
Undefeated Souvenir Gift, who has two stakes victories among her three wins, heads a field of eight 2-year-old fillies in Saturday's $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) at 6 1/2 furlongs on Del Mar's main track.

A daughter of Souvenir Copy who brought longtime trainer Sam Semkin his first graded-stakes victory, Souvenir Gift stamped herself as the Sorrento favorite by winning the Landaluce Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park July 5.

Mike Smith has been aboard for her most recent two victories, including the Cinderella Stakes at Hollywood, and retains the mount for the Sorrento. The filly carries top weight of 122 pounds against seven rivals.

Souvenir Gift was purchased for $25,000 by Semkin and partner Greg Unruh from the Barretts October yearling sale.

The Sorrento is the major local prep for the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) on Aug. 28.

Souvenir Gift is not alone as an undefeated entrant in the Sorrento. Others are the Bob Baffert-trained duo of Excusabull and Inspiring, both of whom won at first asking; Hello Lucky, unbeaten in two races at Calder Race Course in Florida; Timeintown, a double winner; and Starleena, a winner at first asking.

Wise Investor broke her maiden July 11 at Hollywood Park after losing by a nose in her first race. Crypto's Wild, who finished fourth behind Souvenir Gift in the Landaluce Stakes (gr. III) in her only start, rounds out the field.

$150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III), 2-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Crypto's Wild (KY), 116, Danny Sorenson
2. Wise Investor (KY), 118, Jose Valdivia, Jr.
3. Timeintown (KY), 118, Tyler Baze
4. Souvenir Gift (KY), 122, Mike E. Smith
5. Hello Lucky (FL), 118, Jon K. Court
6. Excusabull (KY), 118, Corey S. Nakatani
7. Inspiring (KY), 118, David R. Flores
8. Starleena (MD), 118, Mick Ruis