Chancery Way © Benoit Photo

Smolich or Smolich’s Chancery Way proved too quick for six rivals Sunday at Del Mar in the 28th edition of the Betty Grable Stakes scooting to a three and three-quarter length triumph in the seven-panel affair.

The $100,500 test was for California-bred fillies and mares and the winner is a 4-year-old daughter of one of the state’s top sires – Mr. Big. She covered the distance in front all the way and finished up in 1:22.43.

Finishing second was the race favorite, Nick Alexander’s Rose Dawson, while third – just a neck behind – was Alexander’s Carmen Miranda.

The winner was ridden by Antonio Fresu and trained by Jamey Thomas, a Northern California-based conditioner who was taking his first stakes at the shore oval. She returned $7.80 to win to her backers.

Chancery Way earned a first prize of $57,000 to increase her lifetime bankroll to $270,770. Her tally was her sixth in 11 total starts.

Racing will now take a pause at Del Mar but return for the second week of the session next Friday with an eight-race card. First post that day will be at 12:30 p.m.

ANTONIO FRESU (Chancery Way, winner) – “I didn’t know anything about this filly before I rode her today, but I went back and looked at film of some of her races. I could see she had speed and it looked like she could finish well. I thought the seven furlongs would be a good distance for her. When we turned for home, she really went. It all worked out well.” 

JAMEY THOMAS (Chancery Way, winner) – “She broke sharp and Antonio (Fresu) put her on the lead like we thought we’d be and it worked out perfect for us. She’s been training really good and so we thought ‘she’s ready to roll let’s find us a race’ and this happened to be the one.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.91  :45.39  1:09.88  1:22.43

The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Fresu and his second stakes win at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Thomas and his first stakes win at Del Mar.

The winning owners are Smolich or Smolich.