Dr. Venkman Springs a Surprise in the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar
The Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday, August 23, delivered a result few saw coming. As the field thundered down the stretch, Dr. Venkman, ridden with icy patience by Umberto Rispoli, surged through to snatch victory for trainer Mark Glatt. Rispoli, grinning from ear to ear, raised a fist as they crossed the wire in 1:21.53, drawing a roar from the grandstand.
Stronghold, under Antonio Fresu for Phil D’Amato, kept on gamely for second, while the reliable Express Train, piloted by Hector Berrios for John Shirreffs, filled the frame in third.
Early Races Set the Tempo
The day began with a $100,000 maiden special weight over one mile on dirt, where Intrepido made all under Hector Berrios for trainer Jeff Mullins. Plutarch and Provenance chased him home.
Momentum carried into the second, a turf claiming race at 1 1/16 miles. Spearfish, guided by Kazushi Kimura for Robert Hess Jr., struck decisively ahead of Let Seamus Go and Volatile Storm.
Left Hand Man took the third, a mile dirt claiming worth $36,000, with Rispoli again in tune, this time for trainer George Papaprodromou. Clooney and Great King were next best.
Mid-Card Highlights
Speed ruled the fourth, a five-furlong turf claiming where Shangrilama sprinted clear under Fresu for Steve Knapp, ahead of Tam’s Little Angel and Ready Jet Go.
A lively dirt sprint followed, the $40,000 maiden claiming over six furlongs. Ten Figures, with Kimura aboard for Peter Miller, found enough to see off Smoothwhskygoindwn and Bazooka Charlie.
In the sixth, a $80,000 maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles on turf, Keep Dancin Nick produced a polished run under Mirco Demuro for Steve Miyadi. Mav Man stayed on for second while Bonneville Jim ran third.
Closing Chapters at Del Mar
The seventh, an allowance optional claimer on dirt, saw Canani edge a tight finish with Kyle Frey up for Lorenzo Barocio, ahead of Mr. Disrespectful and Speed Grazy.
Five-furlong turf speed returned in the eighth, where Yellow Card impressed for Michael McCarthy, ridden by Kimura. Incanto and Tigerhon followed.
To close, Shezmisbehaving gave trainer Jesus Gutierrez and rider Ricardo Gonzalez a fitting finale in the mile turf allowance optional claimer, with Garden Party and True Patriot filling the placings.
Conclusion
The Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar will be remembered for Dr. Venkman’s breakout performance and the emotional scenes that followed in the winner’s enclosure. With its mix of maiden promise and seasoned campaigners, the card once again showed why Del Mar continues to hold its place as one of American racing’s great summer theatres.
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