by Steve Bailey

Well Armed showed no signs of rust following a nearly four-month layoff and used his speed to his advantage as he led from start to finish to capture the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Del Mar.

The five-year-old Tiznow gelding had not raced since finishing third behind Curlin and Asiatic Boy in the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

Jockey Aaron Gryder let Well Armed bolt out of the gate quickly and the pair jumped out to a one-length lead through a quarter-mile in :23.29 and a half-mile in :46.89.

Global Hunter held second position through six furlongs in 1:10.62, just a half-length behind before Gryder roused Well Armed and he responded, opening up on the field in early stretch with plenty at the wire to hold off late charges from  Grade 2 winner Surf Cat and Mostacolli Mort.

Well Armed covered 1 1/16 miles on Del Mar’s revamped Polytrack surface in 1:41.57. Surf Cat  finished 1 ¼ lengths back, followed by Mostacolli Mort another 1 ¼ lengths behind.

WinStar Farm’s homebred Well Armed finished second in his 2008 debut in the San Pasqual Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park and captured the San Antonio Handicap (G2) by a head over Heatseeker (Ire) on February 9 at Santa Anita prior to his journey to Dubai.

Overall, Well Armed has won five of 17 starts and earned $1,030,803 in four seasons.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times