Redattore paid $7.40, $4.80, and $3. Native Desert returned $5.40 and $3.60. Super Quercus was worth $4.40 to show. The $1 exacta paid $16.60. (Chart, Equibase)
Redattore rallied from behind an oddly set pace to win the $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) on Saturday at Del Mar.With 9-5 morning-line favorite Irish Prize scratched, Timboroa was bet down to nearly even-money. As the gates sprung open, second choice Redattore lugged out under jockey Alex Solis as Special Ring was sent to the lead. Special Ring led by 1 1/2 lengths after a moderate opening quarter-mile run in :24.49, then sprinted the subsequent quarter in :22.58 to open an eight-length lead over Redattore and the rest of the tightly bunched field. Special Ring continued to race erratically -- jumping once on the backstretch while racing well off the rail -- and opened a 12-length lead before the field began to reel in the tiring leader. Redattore led the field into the stretch and held the rest of the field at bay to win the 1 1/8-mile contest by two lengths after completing the distance in 1:47.16 on a firm turf course."He was strong today; very powerful," said Solis of the winner. "I didn't think I had to worry too much about Danny's horse (frontrunner Special Ring with Danny Sorenson aboard). He looked like he was running off and I assumed he'd come back to us. At the half mile pole I thought I better get going -- I told him 'Vaminos' -- and we got the jump on them. Then he just finished up really well. He's a nice horse and he was a real runner today.""We were OK the first quarter mile, then he locked into the bit and tried to bolt on me," said Sorenson. "I really wasn't trying to steal the race so much as get around there all right. It's a matter of between the ears with him. He's talented, but you can't win doing things like that." Native Desert finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Super Quercus. Timboroa came home fourth, followed by National Anthem and Special Ring.In his most recent start prior to the Eddie Read, Redattore chased sprinters on the main track in the Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Invitational Handicap (gr. II), finishing fourth. That race snapped a two-race win streak, which included a win over Hawklsey Hill in the San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile Handicap (gr. IIT). The 6-year-old Brazilian-bred son of Roi Normand has won nine of 17 career starts, including a group I win in his native Brazil. He was bred by Haras Santa Ana do Rio Grande and is trained by Richard Mandella for owner Luis Alfredo Taunay.