Pixelate swoops late to take G2 Del Mar Derby
DUBAI: Pixelate finished with a flourish to get up on the line and record a first Graded victory in the G2 Del Mar Derby over nine furlongs on turf at Del Mar, USA, on Sunday.
The City Zip colt has proven a model of consistency for trainer Michael Stidham and shipped to California having placed on all five of his previous starts in 2020, including a rallying second in Delaware’s G3 Kent Stakes in July.
Ater being slightly impeded leaving the stalls, Pixelate soon setled in third as Dominant Soul and Margot’s Boy opened up a clear advantage over the rest of the field.
All three horses continued to hold their positions as the runners bunched turning for home, with Pixelate quickening strongly inside the final furlong to collar Margot’s Boy in the last stride for a head success.
Winning jockey Umberto Rispoli said: “I talked to Mike Stidham this morning, and we both agreed that we had the best horse in the race. I said I wanted to ride him up closer than normal for him — I told him this is a smaller tighter course, not like Churchill Downs. He told me to ride him like I wanted. I had a great trip and he fired when he had to. I am very happy. I have waited 16 years to wear these silks.”
SUBLIMIS SHOWS PLENTY OF FIGHT WITH G3 PRIX GLADIATEUR THIRD: Emerging stayer Sublimis made good late headway ater meeting trouble in running to finish third in the G3 Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp on Sunday.
The consistent four-year-old, stepping up to an extended 15 furlongs ater filling the runner-up spot in the G3 Prix de Reux over three furlongs shorter at Deauville in August, disputed fourth for much of the race.
Sublimis moved up on the inside rail with two and a half furlongs let but was denied a clear run shortly aterwards, forcing Mickael Barzalona to switch the Andre Fabre-trained son of Shamardal around runners. He stayed on to take third inside the final furlong and galloped out well, going down by two lengths in total.
Lisa-jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Sublimis ran another really good race. He is a horse who has barely put a foot wrong throughout his career and Mickael Barzalona felt that he would have gone very close if he hadn’t been stopped in the straight.
“This is a prep-race for the G1 Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend, which is still very much under consideration for Sublimis. Andre Fabre would like to see how the horse comes out of this race and progresses over the next three weeks.”
Naval Crown was collared in the closing stages when coming home a close third in the G3 Prix La Rochete at Longchamp, on Sunday.
Making his first Group-race appearance in the seven-furlong contest, the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile was soon sent to the front of the six runners by James Doyle.