Pura Vida Princesa produced a determined finish at Del Mar on Friday, August 21, pulling clear in the final stages to take the featured one-mile turf allowance for fillies and mares by a length and three-quarters. The four-year-old, trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Joe Bravo, completed the distance in 1:34.52 on a race programme reduced by two late scratches.
Pura Vida Princesa Del Mar result was the standout result from Friday’s eight-race meeting.
The late withdrawals left just four runners in the feature, but Pura Vida Princesa made the most of the opportunity. Ribbons set the pace before being challenged through the final stages, only for Pura Vida Princesa to find another gear in the straight and settle the contest with authority.
Ribbons finished second, while Raw Ability was another half length away in third. Dreaming of Abba completed the order.
The victory marked the third win of Pura Vida Princesa’s career from 12 starts. The $49,200 winner’s share took career earnings to $189,340, adding another useful chapter to a campaign that has included a previous success at Santa Anita earlier this year.
Bravo’s ride was handled with patience as the race unfolded, while O’Neill secured his second winner of the afternoon. The result also moved the trainer to 19 victories on Day 21 of the Del Mar meeting.
Pura Vida Princesa had previously shown promise over a mile, and Friday’s performance provided a strong return to form after finishing third over 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar in July. The manner of this latest success was particularly notable, with the runner able to stay on strongly once asked for her effort.
The Friday feature also set the scene for a major Saturday programme at Del Mar. Racing will resume with a 2 p.m. first post, with four graded stakes scheduled, headed by the $1 million Grade I Pacific Classic.
For Del Mar, the weekend will therefore move quickly from a competitive turf allowance to one of the biggest races of the meeting, while Pura Vida Princesa leaves Friday with another victory to her record.
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