Planetario (BRZ) © Benoit Photo
Red Rafa Stud’s Planetario benefitted from a heady ride by Hector Berrios and managed to hang on for a neck score Friday at Del Mar in the $201,000 Hollywood Turf Cup, a 12-furlong marathon on the track’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
The 5-year-old Brazilian-bred lagged back early and saved ground under the Chilean Berrios, then was put to the task turning for home. The rider asked his charge to split horses at the head of the lane and, in doing so, all but ensured he could win the race. Then he dug in late in the shadow of the wire and held off the race’s 7/5 favorite, Peter Brant’s Francesco Clemente, to take down the top prize.
Finishing third in the Grade II headliner was Baalbek Corp or Don Alberto Stable’s Lukka, who was just a nose behind the runner-up.
Planetario was winning the seventh race of his career in his 15th start, earning $120,000 for his efforts. The son of the Brazilian stallion Il Doge increased his career earnings to $266,548. His first five tallies came in his native Brazil where he was bred by Red Rafa Stud’s owner, Ricardo Steinbruch.
Planetario paid $12.40 to win. He covered the mile and one half in 2:28.02.
Racing resumes at Del Mar Saturday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:30 p.m.
HECTOR BERRIOS (Planetario (BRZ), winner) – “I wanted to run behind (horses) where he is more relaxed. We came close (to other horses) in the stretch but a little space opened and my horse, he responded. He had a good finish at the finish line.”
RICHARD MANDELLA (Planetario, winner) – “Great ride by Berrios. He didn’t lose an inch of ground. He sat still on him and just rode him with a lot of confidence. That didn’t hurt him (going back to the mile and a half). He carries a lot of weight but it doesn’t take anything out of him.”
FRACTIONS: :24.76 :49.00 1:14.07 1:39.33 2:03.96 2:28.02
The stakes win was the second of the session for rider Berrios, but his first in the Hollywood Turf Cup. He now has 11 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stake win was the second of the meet for trainer Mandella, but his first in the Hollywood Turf Cup. He now has 76 stakes wins at Del Mar, fourth-most by all trainers.
The winning owner is Red Fara Stud, which is the nom de course of Ricardo Steinbruch of New York, NY.