Big City Lights © Benoit Photo
Taking advantage of an opening on the rail nearing the three-eighths pole, rider Kazushi Kimura fired his mount Big City Lights past a pair of dueling leaders, then went on to score a smashing eight and one-half length victory Saturday at Del Mar in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes.
The 5-year-old full horse by Mr. Big registered the sixth win of his career in his 12th start and earned $57,000 for his efforts, accomplished over seven furlongs in 1:21.39. He now has career winnings of $503,420.
Finishing second in the Cal-bred headliner was B & B Zietz Stables’ Man o Rose, who had a length and three quarters on R L Stables’ Moose Mitchell.
Big City Lights ran second in this same race last year to California champion The Chosen Vron. He didn’t have that one to worry about this time and, as the stout 9-10 favorite, returned $3.80 to his backers.
Racing continues at the shore oval tomorrow with first post at 12:30. The day’s feature will be the Betty Grable Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares.
KAZUSHI KIMURA (Big City Lights, winner) – “Coming into this race I realized it’s a small field and that there was going to be speed. I just tried to pray for my break. It was smooth sailing behind the horses and then I saw a huge gap on the inside, and like I’ve said before he is a great horse during morning training as well. Always going the extra mile and not wanting to stop after the wire, too. He is very confident to ride. After the last race I was hoping he would jump into the Breeder’s Cup sprint but maybe next year.”
RICHARD MANDELLA (Big City Lights, winner) – “He kind of surprises me. He’s not interested in the early speed like he used to but he’s finishing great so I can’t complain. Kimura did a good thing slipping through there. This was too nice of spot for him. When they’re there you gotta go.”
FRACTIONS: :22.03 :44.23 1:08.40 1:21.39
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Kimura and his first in the Cary Grant. He now has three stakes victories at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Mandella and his first in the Cary Grant. He now has 77 stakes wins at Del Mar, tying him for third place all time at the track with Ron McAnally.
The winning owner is William Peeples of Santa Barbara, CA.