Gary and Cecil Barber’s Appealing Tale, the 6-5 favorite ridden by Joe Talamo, gamely resisted the stretch-long challenge of Wild Dude to win the Grade II $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes, one of two supporting features Saturday on the day of the 25th running of the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic.
Appealing Tale, narrowly beaten when second in the San Diego Handicap a month ago, took command from the gate, was well-rated by Talamo through the early furlongs, fought back when confronted by Wild Dude, the Bing Crosby Stakes winner, and proved best by a half-length in 1:21.40 for the seven furlongs.
Indexical was third, three and one-half lengths behind Wild Dude and five and one-half lengths ahead of Kobe’s Back in the four horse field. Turnover was withdrawn from the original line-up.
Appealing Tale, a five-year-old son of Tale of the Cat trained by Peter Miller, was scoring the first stakes victory of his career and over-all it was his fifth win in 24 starts. First money of $150,000 increased the speedster’s earnings to $533,222.
Appealing Tale returned $4.40 and $2.60, while Wild Dude paid $2.60 to place. There was no show wagering because of the small field.
The Pat O’Brien Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series of ‘Win and You’re In” races wherein the winner qualifies to run in the BC Dirt Mile Oct.31 at Keeneland race course in Lexington, Ky.
JOE TALAMO (Appealing Tale, winner) – “This is the fourth time I’ve ridden this horse and he just shows up every time. He’s so game. He’s a treat. When I felt that first quarter (:23.34), I was smiling. I really liked that. When that other horse (Wild Dude) came to me in the stretch, he fought back. He fought him off. He’s a good one.”
FLAVIEN PRAT (Wild Dude, second) – “We had the good trip today; right where we wanted to be. My horse fought on; he tried hard. But the winner got us. We had to give him four pounds (123 – 119). That didn’t help.”
MARIO GUITERREZ (Indexical, third) – “It was a good try for him. That’s all.”
GARY STEVENS (Kobe’s Back, fourth) – “He causes his own problems.”
PETER MILLER (Appealing Tale, winner) – “I felt really good when I saw the twenty-three and one (quarter mile). He’s such a fighter this horse, he loves a dogfight, and when they came up next to him I knew he wouldn’t give up. I felt pretty confident all the way. We’re pointing for the ($1 million Breeders’ Cup) Dirt Mile. He’s such a game horse and he can go anywhere from seven-eighths to a mile and a sixteenth, so the mile is right in his wheelhouse.”
FRACTIONS: :23.34 :45.62 1:09.28 1:21.40
The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Talamo and his first in the O’Brien. He now has 39 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Miller and his first in the O’Brien. He now has 11 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owners are the Barber brothers, Gary and Cecil, of Los Angeles (Gary) and Sherman Oaks, CA (Cecil).