Del Mar Show Wins New Hampshire Sweepstakes

Del Mar Show scored an easy 1 3/4-length victory under Jerry Bailey in Saturday's $200,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Rockingham Park. The Bill Mott trainee completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.51 on the turf course labeled "good."

Del Mar Show tracked pacesetter Ben Speedin through the early going. Del Mar Show assumed the lead while still not being asked, then drew away when roused with a furlong to run and cruised to the wire under a hand ride from Bailey. Mus-If finished second, a half-length ahead of Dr. Kashnikow. Rochester, Full Flow, Ben Speedin, Reluctant Groom, Up Front, and Basil's Rhythm completed the order of finish.

A 5-year-old son of Theatrical, Del Mar Show won for the eighth time in 16 career starts, earning $120,000 for the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust. His most recent win prior to Saturday came via a troubled trip in the Ft. Lauderdale Handicap (gr. IIIT) in January at Gulfstream Park. The Sweepstakes win marks his fifth career stakes victory. The homebred was produced from the Foolish Pleasure mare Prankstress.

Sent off at odds of 2-5, Del Mar Show returned $2.80, $2.40, and $2.20. Mus-If paid $3.80 and $2.20 and completed the $12.20 exacta. Dr. Kashnikow was worth $2.20 to show. (Chart, Equibase)