NEWS
Strong finishing kick propels Whatsthescript
Posted: Sunday, August 24, 2008 11:02 PM
WHATSTHESCRIPT (IRE)
Benoit & Associates photo
by Tim Nichols
Jockey Garrett Gomez’s patience paid off with a graded stakes win on Sunday for Whatsthescript (Ire) in the $328,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) at Del Mar.
Gomez reserved the 2-to-1 favorite in seventh through the first six furlongs before launching a strong rally to catch front-running favorite Daytona (Ire) and win by three-quarters of a length.
Whatsthescript traversed one mile on firm turf in 1:32.40 for his third career graded stakes triumph.
The Del Mar Mile is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series. Whatsthescript’s win secured a starting spot in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on October 25 at Santa Anita Park.
While a strong finishing kick propelled the four-year-old Royal Applause (GB) colt to the finish line first, the first half of the race laid the foundation for his furious charge.
Whatsthescript was held in seventh by Gomez as Storm Military (Arg) took the early lead while pressed by Daytona (Ire) through fractions of :22.51 and :46.06 through a half-mile.
“What made us so happy was that fast pace in front of him,” winning trainer John Sadler said. “When they went 22 and 46 [seconds], I knew we were in good shape.”
Daytona took the lead from tiring pacesetter Storm Military at the quarter pole and extended his advantage to 1½ lengths in early stretch. The 2008 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1) and ’07 Hollywood Derby (G1) winner did not have enough stamina, however, to hold off charges from a trio of rivals.
“At the sixteenth pole, I thought we were home free,” Daytona’s jockey Alex Solis said. “He just got a little tired at the end.”
Whatsthescript proved best as he drove four-wide into the lane and rallied to overtake Daytona and hold off fast-closing runner-up Bold Chieftain and third-place finisher Global Hunter (Arg). Daytona faded to fourth.
Campaigned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Whatsthescript increased his earnings to $991,690 with his eighth win in 17 starts.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY assistant editor
