Chismosa © Benoit Photo

Owner/breeder Jaime Renella’s Chismosa hung tough late to eke out a photo-finish score Sunday at Del Mar in the 29th running of the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes under veteran Tiago Pereira.

The final margin was a neck for the 4-year-old daughter of Clubhouse Ride and she returned $7.80 to her backers. This was her sixth victory in her 22nd start and she earned a first prize of $57,000 for her efforts to increase her bankroll to $579,750.

Finishing second in the filly and mare Cal-bred test was Abrams, Dutko or Paran’s Big Summer, who was three and three quarters best of third-place finisher and race favorite Pushiness, owned by Repole Stable.

Rafael DeLeon trains the winner, who has four of her six victories at Del Mar. Final time for the seven-furlong testing was 1:22.74.

Racing will return to Del Mar next Friday with a first post at 12:30 p.m.

TIAGO PEREIRA (Chismosa, winner) – “Coming around the half mile pole I looked to my side and thought I saw the #4 horse (Pushiness), so I got a little nervous. But she (Chismosa) kept going and she made it easy. Coming around the turn I saw Hector (Berrios on Big Summer), so I pushed and she responded very well.  It was a good time for her.”

RAFAEL DeLEON (Chismosa, winner) – “I told my jockey (Tiago Pereira) ‘Don’t push the horse.’ She got the bit, looked for a clear space and she took care of business. She closed super. I got a little scared in the last part because she didn’t change leads but fortunately my horse did the job. I was happy somebody was pushing the horse in front (Pushiness) because the horse in front is very quick.” 

FRACTIONS:  :21.88 :45.51 1:09.21 1:22.74

The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Pereira and his first in the Betty Grable. He now has 14 stakes wins at Del Mar. 

The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer DeLeon and his first in the Betty Grable. He now has four stakes wins at Del Mar. 

The winning owner and breeder is Jamime Renella of Duarte, CA.