Providing jockey Edwin Maldonado with his third victory of the afternoon, 2-1 favored Nite Delite scored a wire-to-wire victory Friday in Del Mar’s featured event, a five-furlong sprint over the infield grass course.l

 

Nite Delite sped into command shortly after the start and controlled the pace, reaching the wire four lengths in front in 56.58 for the distance. Silver Mojave was second, three-quarters of a length in front of Easter Fever in the field of nine horses.

 

Nite Delite, owned by Jack Liebau and trained by Art Sherman of California Chrome fame, returned $6.80, $4.20 and $3.20 after her second success in seven starts. In her previous race three weeks ago at Del Mar, the daughter of War Chant was second, beaten a nose, also at five furlongs on the grass.

 

Runner-up Silver Mojave paid $6.60 and $5, while Easter Fever returned $7.40 to show.

 

Maldonado’s earlier winners on the card were Lovenseek at $4.20 in the third and longshot Kenjisstorm at $49.40 in the fifth.

 

There were no perfect tickets Friday in the Pick Six. Therefore, Saturday’s Pick Six will have a carryover of $41,442. Post time for the first of nine races is 12:30 p.m.