Dr. No No © Benoit Photo
Brown, Klein or Lebherz’s Dr. No No made the lead inside the eighth pole, then just hung on by a whisker to capture the 34th edition of the I’m Smokin Stakes for California breds at Del Mar Friday.
The photo-finish camera showed Dr. No No and rider Ramon Vazquez a nose best at the end of the six-furlong feature, just holding off fast-closing Mici’s Express, who is owned by Thomas Halasz.
Finishing third in juvenile dash was London, Lovingier and Zondlo’s Last Call London, a half length farther back.
Time for the race was 1:11.67 and the winner paid $7.40 for $2.
The I’m Smokin carried a value of $125,000 as part of the Golden State Series of races run up and down the state over the course of the year. The winner picked up a check for $71,250 and increased his earnings to $130,290 for his second victory in his third start. He’s a chestnut colt by Smiling Tiger
Racing will return to the track Saturday with a 1:30 first post. Following that will be Sunday’s final card of the season.
RAMON VAZQUEZ (Dr. No No, winner) – “No, I didn’t have any special instructions from him (trainer Brian Koriner). He just said you know how to ride him; he gave me confidence that way. When we ran the race, I found a good spot behind the speed and waited. Then when it came time, my horse went. It was a good race.”
BRIAN KORINER (Dr. No No, winner) – “He got to lay outside and stalk them around there. At least there were enough horses up front with the speed horse so we didn’t have to do all the work. He broke a little more sharp than I thought he would and he was a lot closer than I thought he would be. That’s why I was worried about the horse that ran second, because he nabbed us two races back on the wire the same way. Lucky we held on today because my horse matured a little bit.”
FRACTIONS: :22.39 :46.19 :58.67 1:11.67
This was the fourth stakes win of the meeting for rider Vazquez and the first for trainer Koriner.
Rider Vazquez was winning this race for the first time. He now has eight stakes wins at Del Mar.
Trainer Koriner was winning this race for the second time (Joker Boy, 2021) and he now has 10 stakes victories at Del Mar.
The winning owners are the partnership of Rusty Brown, Alan Klein or Philip Lebherz.