Six of the best for Dettori
FRANKIE DETTORI fell just short of producing an American version of his famous magnificent seven when riding six straight winners on the Santa Anita Derby card.
The Italian memorably won every race at Ascot in September 1996, on a day which cost British bookmakers an estimated £ 40 million.
Now based across the Atlantic after abandoning plans to retire last year, Dettori looked set to rewrite the record books when rattling off six consecutive victories, including a Santa Anita Oaks triumph.
The 53- year- old said: “I adore this place and to be able to say that I won six races on Derby day is beyond my wildest dreams. I don’t know how to put it into words. Is it real? Am I dreaming? Is this really happening? It’s incredible. I just don’t know what to say.”
After missing out on Danzingwith Maxine in the opening race, Dettori began his hot streak with maiden winner Ball Don’t Lie.
He then struck on Recinto Rompere in a claiming race before landing the $ 125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes with Roberta’s Love at big odds.
After that success, Dettori said: “I was surprised, she jumped like a rocket and within 50 yards we were clear of the field and at the rail. I thought if nobody hassled with me, I’d be very hard to catch and that was the case. We went right up to the line.”
Next up came another maiden winner in Kathynmarissa and Dettori then partnered Nothing Like You to victory in the $ 300,000 Grade Two Santa Anita Oaks.
She was regarded as trainer Bob Baffert’s second string behind odds- on favourite Kinza but swept past her stablemate entering the home straight and romped home by seven- and- a- half lengths.
“The filly didn’t like the kick- back too much last time but I was lucky to get a decent break and could take up a decent position where I wasn’t getting any kick- back,” said Dettori. “I was fully loaded at the quarter pole, I just needed a bit of room and she took off.”
Dettori’s sixth straight success soon followed when Royal Charter swept to victory on her American debut.