Patriots Rule © Benoit
California Dreamin’ Stakes
JOE TALAMO (Patriots Rule, winner) – “She broke well and I had a beautiful trip. I got over to the fence and tried to save all I could. When you’re coming from last, you’re looking for spots to get through. I didn’t want to have to go six wide and lose all that ground. I got lucky with that and he had a good kick late. I like the way this turf course is playing. It’s fair. You can win on the front end, or you can win coming from the back – like I did.”
FLAVIEN PRAT (Ambitious Brew, second) – “This horse tries hard every time. He’s a nice horse. This just might have been a little too far for him.”
GARY STEVENS (Boozer, third) – “I had to make two moves with him. That second eighth Soi Phet (alongside Boozer) ran off with Kent (Desormeaux) and we went too fast up front. We got them to settle down, but then I had to make a second move with my horse heading for home. Two moves is too hard for these horses. He just ran out of steam.”
SEAN WILLIAMS, assistant to Robertino Diodoro (Patriots Rule, winner) –“Since we gave this horse a well-deserved rest he’s come back working so well. Everything we’ve done with him has been a prep for this and it worked out perfectly. I was a little worried that he was laying a little closer than he usually does but the fractions were a little slower than they usually are. When Joe (Talamo) went to riding him, he just responded. Joe did his homework and rode him real well. ”
FRACTIONS: :23.22 :47.49 1:11.93 1:35.89 1:41.78
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Talamo, but his second in the California Dreamin’ (Bruce’s Dream in 2010). He now has 42 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first ever at Del Mar for trainer Robertino Diodoro.