Norvsky late surge under Rafael Bejarano in the California Dreamin Handicap gave his connections another day to celebrate at Del Mar
The 2-year-old gelding, Norvsky, left it late in the $100,000 California Dreamin Handicap on 24 July on Del Mar turf to come from far back to land his first race of 2011.
Norvsky handed his owner, Bud Johnston, and trainer, Donald Warren, another win at Del Mar, a day after Acclamation won the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes for his connections.
It was a race for older Californian bred horses, who contested over at a 1 mile ½ furlong on turf.
The son of Vronsky had a frustrating year prior to the California Dreamin Handicap. Norvsky had four starts out of which he finished 2nd thrice and once fourth.
His year started on turf in the Grade 2 Arcadia at Santa Anita over at a distance of 1 mile.
Jockey C Sutherland rode the gelding, as the kicked off with a solid break. The pair reached the quarter pole jumping on to third.
Mustering up good pace, Norvsky started to fade away as Liberian Freighter took control of the race and made a solid run from mid stretch. Jeranimo and Blue Chagall followed the leader leaving Norvsky to tow the rest of the field.
Then started a frustrating run for Norvsky where he couldn’t manage a win in his next three starts, but finished just of the mark with three runners up finishes.
Norvsky entered an Allowance claiming race at Hollywood Park on 6 May, again contesting over a mile with jockey C Sutherland. This time around the pair played a game of cat and mouse; they patiently held off the pace and tracked the leaders.
Ace of Aces kicked forward and that was the cue for C Sutherland who urged Norvsky to start the engine, the pair got defeated narrowly as Ace of Aces claimed the winner with Leroy’s Dynameaux finished third.
Similar result in an another Allowance claiming race on 4 June under his usual ride C Sutherland, also run at Hollywood Park Turf over at a distance of 1 1/16 miles.
The increase in distance didn’t seem to faze the gelding as he pushed harder only to fall a length short behind Dahoud to finish second.
Another frustrating second place finish in the Golden State Cup held at Hollywood Park Turf on 23 June.
This time around it was Joel Rosario who guided the gelding to his familiar finish of the year. Over at a distance of 1 mile the pair set some fast fractions after the quarter pole.
With a furlong remaining Lucky Primo took over the leaders’ position and jumped across the wire to keep Norvsky at bay, he finished second yet again.
Norvsky at Del Mar showed that he has a big engine he can track down horses with ease, as he showed in the California Dreamin Handicap under Rafael Bejarano.
Tags: