Long Hot Summer © Benoit Photo

Fanticola and Scardino’s Long Hot Summer rallied to the lead along the rail in the upper stretch under jockey Joe Talamo and went on to record a one-length triumph in the featured $93,800 Daisycutter Handicap Friday at Del Mar.

Long Hot Summer, a five-year-old daughter of Street Boss, was third, beaten a half-length, in the 2016 renewal of the Daisycutter to So Sweetitiz, but was able to get the job done in convincing style Friday.

Watch This Cat, the even-money favorite piloted by Rafael Bejarano, shaded Bad Ju Ju by a neck for the runner-up spot, with Anita Partner another length and one-quarter away in fourth. Longshot Woodacouldadid was fifth and last. Pre-race favorite Desert Steel was withdrawn Friday morning.

Long Hot Summer provided trainer Phil D’Amato with his fourth stakes success out of six over-all wins at the current meeting.              

Long Hot Summer went postward as the 3-1 third choice and returned $8, $3 and $2.60 after her sixth victory in 16 career starts. First money of $60,060 increased her earnings to $409,194. Time for the five furlongs over the infield grass course was :56.31.

Watch This Cat paid $2.80 and $2.40, while Bad Ju Ju returned $3 to show.