Lucy De © Benoit Photo

 

Given a patient, well-judged ride by Del Mar’s leading jockey, Flavien Prat, Lucy De outsprinted Mai Tai in the stretch to win the feature at Del Mar Thursday, a mile and one-sixteenth contest over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

 

Running toward the back of a nine-horse field of California-bred older fillies and mares in the early stages, Lucy De rallied into contention and then fought off the bold challenge of Mai Tai, who was ridden by Kent Desormeaux, to score by a half-length in 1:42.87 for the distance.

 

One length farther back in third was Almost Reality, with Mizzen Glory fourth.

 

Lucy De, a daughter of Decarchy owned by GGG Stables and trained by Mike Puype, returned $13.20, $6.80 and $4.40 after her second victory in seven starts. Mai Tai paid $5.60 and $3.80, while Almost Reality returned $3.80 to show.

 

There was a single perfect ticket in the Pick Six and it was worth $31,947.

 

Post time for the first of eight races Friday is 12:30 p.m.