Not given much of a chance with it being his first time on the grass, and first time going the distance, but like a freight train, Mb Stables Give Your All closed from some 18 lengths out to win by a length at the wire. Backers were ecstatic!

• DMR Handicap Grade II [BC] Purse $250.000
• Del Mar Race Course – For Three Years old and Up
• Mile and three eighths- Turf Track
• August 17th, 2019

Now having punched his ticket into this years BC Turf event joining Dead Madness with his first ever six turf points, Give Your All definitely lived up to his name here at Del Mar on Saturday when he took to closing down the lane to win in a final time of 2:11.63. Once a prominent runner at the graded level back in his sophomore days, this Graded victory is his first in some almost two years when he won the Gr. II Kelso Handicap back in 2017. Mb Stables did win this event back in 2013 with four year old Russian Whisky, and for rider Bejarano, this is win number three in this event, and back to back victories the past two season.

While Estero Farms Sunlander and Aer Stables Long River were sent out early both with possible intentions of not being squeezed out early, Sunlander was responsible for early fractions of 44 and four, 108 and one, and a mile in a blistering 1:32 and four. Definitely not numbers called for in this length of a race, but they definitely changed the outcome of this affair. As these numbers were being produced, it was like jockeys J J Hernandez and R Bejarano had been having a conversation back in the field about the weather and upcoming races, not really worried about or pressured with their positions. But as the leader hit the the far turn with three furlongs to run, I could swear as I looked through my binoculars i saw Bejarano wink at Hernandez and say ” I’ll race you to the wire” Almost like in the movie Seabiscuit when Gary Stevens looks over and say ” Have a nice ride Johnny”. Give Your All was on a mission. Sitting 13 lengths back, then to within nine with two furlongs to race passing on the outside, to being head to head with Sir Daniel Martins Siberian Prince at the eighth pole. D J C Racing Stables The Joker was just caught in the jet stream of the eventual winner and would follow him to the wire, placing second one length shy. While many have been on the sophomore craze of late as they are better then any four year old or older, this six year old chestnut and five year old black showed others they were not done yet, stories can still be written, and champions can still be made.

Siberian Prince would hang around for the show purse money for his efforts on the day, while a late closing Running Bien ( Chili King Stables ) would close up for fourth place with his late effort.

All in all, an amazing race to watch and to be able to tell future horse lovers of the sport, about the efforts put in by a first time grass try, first time at the distance effort, and the return of a champion.

Rounding out the event were D J C Racing Stables other entry of Devilish Luck in fifth ( 6 back ), Laff All Day ( Maxmillion Farm, 8 shy ), Early speedster Sunlander ( 11 out), Block Message ( Tiratzo, 15 out), Sunpunch ( John Henry, 15 out ), early competitor Aer Stables Long River ( 18 shy), Portal ( Nakamura Stables, 23 back ) and finally Cherokee Charlie ( Team 7 Illusions, 26 length out ).

I was able to catch up with both Dan and Dom following the even t and ask them both their thought on how their respective horses fared;

Mb Stables: ” He’s just a super talented horse. But older horses often are up against it in this game and this race gave him a chance with low weight. He was never better on turf in my eyes, but it seemed he could do well as a low weight. And his works were fast enough on turf to consider. I got lucky in the end that the trip worked out. When asked if he felt older horses could be making a comeback he responded by saying ” In my opinion, the 5’s and 6 year olds of the world really are going to struggle unless they’re in handicaps. It’s tough out there to give up 5 pounds to a 3 year old. In a handicap with low weight they’re in a great position to win”

D J C Racing Stables:”The Joker seems like with extended rest between starts he will put forward a good effort, he is close now to getting a spot in the BC turf and that is my goal for him, grab a spot in the big race and see what happens.

As our conversation ended, they both made a toast to one another clinking their glasses and saying here’s to future success, and future showdowns to come. Both gentlemen of the game.

Track: Firm 
Time: :44⁴  1:08¹  1:32⁴  2:11³

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

$1 Exacta: 3 – 2 Paid 2,932.40 
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 2 – 8 Paid 1,618.50 

Scratched: Bligh, Call Me Godd

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES