There was a sense of redemption in the seaside air at Del Mar on Friday as Titanic Thompson—a colt whose summer had been filled with near-misses—finally delivered on his promise. Off as the 8-5 favorite, the Nick Alexander homebred showed both grit and grace, powering clear to win the $62,500 allowance feature for California-bred or sired three-year-olds and upward by 2¾ lengths over five furlongs on turf.
With Armando Ayuso in the irons, Titanic Thompson pressed Andtheomofthebrave (5-1) up the backstretch before seizing control turning for home. By the time they hit the sixteenth pole, the race was effectively over. The gray colt’s smooth stride and decisive kick underlined why trainer Steve Miyadi has long believed turf is his true calling.
Behind him, Check’s On the Way (9-2), ridden by Umberto Rispoli, rallied smartly from mid-pack to grab second, just a neck ahead of the longshot Clever Clover (22-1), who closed strongly under William Antongeorgi III to deny Jaguar John (6-1) and Tyler Baze the show spot by a nose.
After a string of dirt runs that failed to ignite, Miyadi’s decision to return Titanic Thompson to the grass proved spot on. In his prior turf start on October 4, he had finished a close third, beaten only a neck over six furlongs. This time, the shorter trip and a confident ride made all the difference.
A three-year-old son of Grazen, Titanic Thompson broke his maiden at Santa Anita on May 17 in a six-and-a-half-furlong special weight for statebreds. His record now stands at 9-2-3-1, with earnings climbing to $124,300—a fitting reward for consistency and patience.
Punters who kept the faith were duly rewarded: Titanic Thompson paid $5.20, $3.00, and $2.40. Check’s On the Way returned $5.60 and $3.80, while Clever Clover paid $6.00 to show.
The clocking told its own story, with fractions of 22.95, 45.87, and 57.02 confirming a brisk, honest pace that suited the winner’s strengths perfectly.
For Nick Alexander and his team, Friday’s success was more than just another win—it was proof that patience, placement, and belief can pay off handsomely on the turf.
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