Published Saturday, July 27th, 2024 (2 months ago)

San Diego Handicap (Grade II) Quotes

Dr. Venkman | Benoit Photo

Dr. Venkman © Benoit Photo

ANTONIO FRESU (Dr. Venkman, winner) – “He has speed, so the plan was to use it. The question was going to be if he could go this far (first time at two turns). We stayed close to the favorite, then on the turn we picked him up. When my horse made the lead, they waited. I switched sticks and hit him left-handed and he responded. Good win for sure.”

JUAN HERNANDEZ (Arabian Knight, fourth) – “No excuses for him today. We used his speed, of course, and I tried to open up with him but it just wasn’t there. He probably needed the race.”

MARK GLATT (Dr. Venkman, winner) – “He relaxed beautifully. Antonio (Fresu) pushed the button at the right time. I was pretty confident around the quarter-pole. I thought he had more horse than the pacesetter, then it was just the question of getting on by him. He kind of got to wandering a little bit in the stretch but he ran great.”


FRACTIONS:  :22.06  :46.95  1:11.09  1:36.73  1:43.36

The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Fresu. He now has five stakes wins at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the second of the meet for trainer Glatt. He now has 16 stakes victories at Del Mar. 

The winning owners area Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen and James Hailey. Managing partner Cohen lives in Los Angeles.