Trevor Denman © Benoit Photo
TREVOR DENMAN BACK TO PAINT MORE PICTURES AT DEL MAR
If you want to experience the true essence of a Trevor Denman race call, stand out in the parking lot at Del Mar during one of the races. Despite being hundreds of yards away from the action and unable to see a single horse in the race, when the roar of the crowd has reached its crescendo and the race ends, you will know exactly what happened out on the racetrack.
Arguably the game’s most familiar race caller returns for another summer meet at Del Mar in 2022, just like he’s done every year since he took over for Harry Henson in 1984, with the exception of 2020 when he decided to ride out Covid at his home in Minnesota.
Denman was actually getting ready to leave his property and make the drive to San Diego for the fall meet at Del Mar last October when he slipped on some ice-slick steps at his place and injured his back.
“That injury before the last fall meet was so unexpected,” Denman says. “I fell heavily and could not walk unaided for two weeks. It was a nerve pain, so it was excruciating. After two weeks it healed daily.”
And now Denman’s ready to get back in the booth. First, the drive to Del Mar from Minnesota, making some memorable stops along the way.
“This trip we visited the site of Buddy Holly's ill-fated plane crash,” Denman says, “in which he and Richie Valens died in a remote cornfield in Iowa. The crash site memorial is on an Iowa farm, but the farmer allows you to go on his land for free to visit it. Midwest hospitality.”
Denman and his wife, Robin, take five days to complete 2,000 mile trip.
“I have a penchant for Indian War battle sites,” Denman notes, “so we went to Fort McPherson, Nebraska, Blue Water Battlefield in Nebraska and the Battle Of Mud Springs in Nebraska.”
Trevor brings a unique style to every call, with catch phrases like, “And away they go” spoken at the start of every race. “Scraping the paint” used to describe a horse rallying up the rail. “They would need to sprout wings” for when a horse is so far out in front, the rest of the field has no chance. “Moving like a winner” or “looks like he jumped in at the quarter pole”…all signature calls that have become a part of the racing culture.
These days Denman is exclusive to Del Mar, affording the 68-year old the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds…continue working, calling horse races at one of the most beautiful tracks in the world...while also getting to spend time away from the limelight to enjoy a quiet life with Robin on their secluded home in Minnesota.
“I have never been happier than I am now in my "retirement," Denman says. “I think I will go on calling races until the day comes when I say, ‘Okay that's it, time to say goodbye’.”
D’AMATO TO START FOUR IN A WIDE OPEN G2 SAN CLEMENTE
Trainer Phil D’Amato is loaded for bear this summer at Del Mar. After finishing fourth in the 2021 Del Mar summer meet trainer standings, he rebounded nicely to win Del Mar’s fall meet trainer’s title and followed that with Santa Anita’s winter/spring meet title. So he would like nothing more than to keep the streak going this summer.
“Everyone always comes into this meet loaded,” D’Amato says. “It’s usually the best-of-the-best who come here and hopefully we can have a successful meet.”
D’Amato has a string of 50 horses stabled at Del Mar this summer. He says Going Global will probably run in the G2 Yellow Ribbon August 13. Leggs Galore is pointing to the Daisycutter July 29; Santa Anita Oaks winner Desert Dawn may go in the G1 Clement Hirsch August 6; Hong Kong Harry, last out winner of the G3 American Stakes at Santa Anita, may go next in the Eddie Read July 31, and G1 Shoemaker Mile winner Count Again is being pointed to the G2 Del Mar Mile September 3.
D’Amato takes a crack at Del Mar’s first graded stake of the summer when he sends out four runners in the G2 San Clemente on Saturday. The one mile turf event will have 12 top-notch 3-year old fillies going postward in the 11th and final race of the day.
Benowitz Family Trust, et al’s Bellabel will be making her first start since winning the $100,000 Blue Norther at Santa Anita in January. It was the Irish-bred filly’s U.S. debut and second win in a row.
“We gave her some time off following her win earlier in the year,” D’Amato noted, “and she’s coming back, training very well.”
D’Amato also saddles R-Unicorn Stable’s, Island of Love, winner of three-of-her-six career starts including the G3 Senorita at Santa Anita in May.
“She ran second for me last time to a really nice filly,” D’Amato says. “I think she’ll like this turf course.”
That runner-up finish came in the G3 Honeymoon at Santa Anita to Cairo Memories, a filly who went on to set the pace before running sixth in the G1 Belmont Oaks two weeks ago at Belmont Park. Island of Love also posted a runner-up finish to Lucky Girl in the $75,000 Lady Shamrock Stakes at Santa Anita in her stateside debut in January. Lucky Girl also will run in the San Clemente for Panic Stable and trainer George Papaprodromou.
D’Amato’s other two runners in the San Clemente are also Irish-breds, Sixteen Arches and Helens Wells.
Here’s the field for the G2 San Clemente from the rail with the jockeys and morning line odds. Lady T (Victor Espinoza 6-1); Countess Rosina (Ryan Curatolo 8-1); Sixteen Arches (Abel Cedillo 20-1); Tezzaray (Ramon Vasquez 6-1); Gem Mine (Jose Valdivia 10-1); Bellabel (Umberto Rispoli 4-1); Island of Love (Juan Hernandez 5-1); Anthonys Cleopatra (Frank Alvarado 20-1); Helens Well (Tiago Pereira 8-1); Lucky Girl (Joe Bravo 8-1); Mise Le Meas (Drayden Van Dyke 8-1) and Gold Dragon Queen (Abdul Alsagoor 30-1).
FLORENT GEROUX TO RIDE FULLTIME AT DEL MAR THIS SUMMER
He’s considered one of the top jockeys riding in the U.S today and he’s decided to ride fulltime at Del Mar this summer. Florent Geroux has ridden the likes of Horse of the Year Gun Runner, Eclipse Award Distaff champion Monomoy Girl, last year’s G1 Clement Hirsch winner Shedaresthedevil, and Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun.
The 36-year native of France has been riding in the states since 2007. As his career progressed he would pick-up rides with such notable barns as Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox, riding at literally every major track in North America. But he felt now was a good time to give Del Mar a try.
“It was great timing,” Geroux says. “I felt there was a little bit of a void in the jockey colony. Many of the top jockeys have left, especially Flavien (Prat) and I decided to give it a try. (Del Mar) is a very beautiful place. I’m very excited to be near the ocean…it’s the place to be in the summertime.”
Geroux is no stranger to Del Mar. In addition to his victory on Shedaresthedevil in the 2021 Hirsch, he guided Acclimate to a win in the 2019 G2 Del Mar Handicap and rode in both Breeders’ Cups here. In between, he won such prestigious races as the Kentucky Oaks, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Louisiana Derby. He says he’s not coming out here to ride for any particular trainer.
“No, we hope to ride for everybody,” Geroux says. “Several trainers have reached out to us and offered us some horses to ride.”
He says he still has some out-of-town commitments he needs to fulfill. He plans to ride Opening Day at Del Mar but that night he’ll be on a plane heading to the Jersey Shore to ride at Monmouth Park. He has the mount on Arkansas Derby winner, Cyberknife in the G1 Haskell Invitational and on Kentucky Ghost in the G1 United Nations.
Otherwise, Del Mar racing fans will have Florent all to themselves this summer at Del Mar.
OSUNITAS KICKS OFF STAKES TWINBILL SATURDAY AT DEL MAR
Another packed starting gate is expected for the $100,000 Osunitas Stakes at Del Mar. A field of 11 is expected for 65th running of the one mile turf race for fillies and mares, 3-years old and up. It’s one of two stakes scheduled to run on the first Saturday of the summer meet. The G2 San Clemente will follow two races later.
Trainer Leonard Powell, who has been coming to Del Mar for over a dozen years, will bring a pair of runners over for the Osunitas, race nine of the 11-race card. Convergence Stable, et al’s Avenue De France put in a maintenance work Monday at Del Mar, covering the four furlongs in :48.80.
“She last raced in Texas and ran a good second over there,” Powell says. “I expect a very good showing from her in the Osunitas.”
Santa Anita’s winter/spring riding champion, Juan Hernandez, will ride the 5-year old daughter of Cityscape who has run her best races outside of Southern California, winning the $50,000 Luther Burbank, the $50,000 Miss America and the $75,000 Golden Poppy all at Golden Gate Fields. She comes in following a second-place finish to Park Avenue in the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff at Lone Star Park. Powell acknowledges the Osunitas is a bit of a step up for her.
“She’s graded placed so hopefully she can fit with this kind here at Del Mar,” Powell said. He has also entered Bye Bye Bertie, who won four straight starter races earlier this year. Powell has a string of 38 horses at Del Mar and always looks forward to racing here.
“It’s the time of year when a lot of people are out of work and can enjoy their horses more,” Powell stated. “It’s a pleasure to share it with them.”
The competition in the Osunitas will be stiff. Mike Maker is bringing over Three Diamonds Farm’s Amalfi Princess, winner of an allowance race at Belmont Park in May followed by a runner-up finish to She Can’t Sing in the $100,000 Lady Canterbury at Canterbury Park.
There’s Tracy and Paula Henline’s Buyback who placed second to Avenue De France in the Golden Poppy. Trained by Blaine Wright, the daughter of Mucho Macho Man has placed first or second in her last six races.
Trainer Ben Cecil will run Reddam Racing’s Eddie’s New Dream, a runner-up to Canoodling in the G3 Wilshire at Santa Anita in May.
And there’s Next Wave Racing’s Sassyserb, a last out runner-up to Alice Marble in the $100,000 Fran’s Valentine. The Cal-bred is one of a trio of horses in the race for trainer George Papaprodromou.
The field for the Osunitas from the rail with the jockey and morning line: Quattroelle (Tyler Baze 12-1); Hamwood Flier (Joe Bravo 4-1); Buyback (Edwin Maldonado 15-1); Avenue de France (Juan Hernandez 3-1); Quiet Secretary (Brice Blanc 20-1); Carpe Vinum (Ramon Vazquez 4-1); Amy C (Umberto Rispoli 5-1); Sassyserb (Drayden Van Dyke 20-1); Rocking Redhead (Abel Cedillo 8-1); Bye Bye Bertie (Victor Espinoza 8-1), and Ever Smart (Ryan Curatolo 20-1).
COOLING OUT --- 2020 G2 Pat O’Brien winner C Z Rocket is entered in an allowance race Saturday. Peter Miller’s multiple Graded stakes winner, who once beat champion sprinter Whitmore, is the morning line favorite in the non-winners of two that goes off as Race 10…Racing secretary David Jerkens says they will run 11 races on Sunday as the demand to race at Del Mar continues strong. “I had an inkling there was more anticipation for the beginning of this meet,” Jerkens says. “You just hope that the momentum carries you as we get into the middle portion of the meet.” 27 of the 32 races on the first three days of the meet have double-digit entries…First-time starter on the grass Lady T drew the inside post for Saturday’s G2 San Clemente. “She’s training very well,” trainer John Shirreffs says. “I think she’s very competitive with the field, if she handles the turf.” The daughter of Into Mischief will be ridden by Victor Espinoza… Selected works for Friday: 240 horses put in official works. Becca Taylor (3f, :36.40); Fashionably Fast (4f, :49.80); Blue Stripe (5f, :59.20); Finneus (6f, 1:12.80); Grace Adler (6f, a bullet 1:11.60).