Racing! Good news as Geovanni Franco and Corey Nakatani are out of hospital

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we close out another week of racing.

Let’s start with some good news, jockeys Corey Nakatani and Geovanni Franco are out of the hospital after a nasty spill in the last race Saturday at Del Mar.

Franco, in fact, was back riding on Sunday with what his agent, James Giannone, said was a bruise on his foot. The jockey was released Saturday night.

“He’s very fortunate, and blessed, to be able to come out of it the way he did,” Giannone told Hank Wesch of Del Mar. “Something like this is tough on everyone but he’s cowboy tough. The last time he went down like this, last year at Oaklawn Park, he won two races the next day.”

Nakatani’s injuries were a little more serious and he was kept overnight but released on Sunday.

Nakatani’s agent, his son Matt, tweeted out this update Sunday morning: “POSITIVE NEWS! We just met with the spinal specialist & he will be released from the hospital shortly. He thankfully escaped without any major injuries, however his timetable to return to riding is uncertain. Don’t worry, we will come back stronger than ever!”

The accident occurred when Aussie Fox, ridden by apprentice Assael Espinoza, drifted in front of Irish Spring. The horses clipped heels and Irish Spring went down. Bitter Ring Down couldn’t avoid Irish Spring and also went down. Both jockeys were unseated.

The fall was fatal for Irish Spring. The stewards said Irish Spring died of his injuries and was not euthanized. Bitter Ring Down got back up and was grabbed by an outrider with no apparent injuries. A necropsy was planned for Irish Spring.

Aussie Fox finished third but was placed last for interference. The stewards will decide if Espinoza will face any kind of suspension. Espinoza did visit the jockeys at the hospital on Saturday.

Del Mar review

The featured race of the day was the Grade 2 $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs. It’s a strong group of fillies this year although it’s way too early to figure out if any will go against the males. The guess is none will.

Bellafina won Sunday’s race by a growing 4 ¼ lengths over Del Mar May. Flavien Prat confidently rode her to the lead, seemed to slow her on the far turn, saving more than enough for the easy win. She was much the best.

She paid $8.40, $4.40 and $3.40 for trainer Simon Callaghan. Boujie Girl was third.

“I was inside and didn’t want to get stuck behind horses,” Prat said. “So, I let her roll out of there. She’s got some speed and she was comfortable. I asked her for her kick on the turn and she gave it to me. She felt good and I think she’ll run farther, too.”

Callaghan has his sights set on the Breeders’ Cup for this filly.

“She showed us in the afternoon what she has been showing us in the morning,” Callaghan said. “I actually didn’t expect her to be on the lead. I just told Flavien to break and take it from there. I think she’s a filly with a big future and she’s just going to keep getting better. I don’t want to say yes, definitely [to the Del Mar Debutante]. It’s a possibility, but when you’ve got a filly that you think this much of, it’s better to be a little patient and work your way back from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.”

In the first stakes of the day, River Boyne won the Grade 3 $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. He had to work in mid-stretch but was still able to beat Arawak by 1 ¼ lengths.

River Boyne, a heavy favorite, paid $3.00, $2.40 and $2.10. Calexman was third.

“Going into the backside, he grabbed the bit and they were slowing it down up front,” winning jockey Prat said. “It put me in a bit of a tough spot. But he was comfortable, so it worked out. He’s a nice horse to ride. And I don’t think he’ll have any problems with more distance. He’s showed he can handle it.”

Trainer Jeff Mullins credited Prat with his ride.

“He knows how much horse he’s got underneath him and it has worked out pretty much every time,” Mullins said. “He got in a little tight back there and I was a little worried it might take away from his kick, but obviously it didn’t. The [Del Mar Derby] is probably the next step.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Woodbine: $125,000 Clarendon Stakes, Ontario-bred 2-year-olds, 5 ½ furlongs. Winner: Muskoka Wonder ($6.60)

Saratoga: Grade 3 $200,000 Troy Handicap, 3 and up, 5 ½ furlongs on the turf. Winner: Sandy’z Slew ($10.00)

Ellis Park: $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint, 3 and up, 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: Winner: Jazzy Times ($32.40)

Ellis Park: $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Arklow ($3.80)

Woodbine: $100,000 Eternal Search Stakes, Ontario-bred fillies 3-years-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Line of Vision ($8.20)

Ellis Park: $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Mile, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Mr. Misunderstood ($3.60)

Ellis Park: $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: I’m Betty G ($5.80)

Del Mar: Grade 3 $150,000 La Jolla Handicap, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: River Boyne ($3.00)

Saratoga: $100,000 Alydar Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Realm ($27.20)

Presque Isle Downs: $100,000 Malvern Rose Stakes, Penn-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile. Winner: Shamrock Rose ($3.40)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 Sorrento Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Bellafina ($8.40)

Final thought

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Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Wednesday.

UPPER ROOM chased outside then off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch, drifted in and took the lead outside the runner-up in midstretch and held on gamely under urging. HARD FOUGHT had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away leaving the second turn, fought back along the fence in the final furlong and continued willingly to the wire. TOPGALLANT saved ground off the pace, went around a rival on the second turn then angled in nearing the stretch, came out again in deep stretch and finished with interest. ZIPPY GROOM chased a bit off the rail or outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. AQUILA pulled between horses then a bit off the rail, bid three deep leaving the first turn and on the backstretch and into the second turn, stalked outside a rival leaving that turn, drifted out some in the stretch and weakened. MIDNIGHT SOOT pulled his way along between horses then angled in and chased inside or just off the fence, found the rail again on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and had little left for the drive. AURORA D'ORO dueled outside the runner-up then between foes, stalked just off the rail leaving the second turn, dropped back in the drive and gave way.

DER LU stalked outside the runner-up, bid three deep on the turn and into the stretch, took the lead outside that one in midstretch and inched clear under some urging in the final sixteenth. BIZWHACKS close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, bid inside to gain the advantage on the turn, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back inside the winner, could not match that one in the final sixteenth but was clearly second best. KEEPER OFTHE STARS chased just off the inside then along the rail on the turn and through the stretch and bested the others. GIZA GODDESS chased between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, found the inside into the stretch, came out and weakened. MERCY MERCY between foes early, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and also weakened. VEGAS STRONG BABY chased outside then three deep on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch drifted inward in the drive and gave way. COURTEOUS sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail, was between foes midway on the turn, dropped back leaving that turn and had nothing left for the stretch. HEATHERS GREY dropped back off the rail, continued outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and failed to menace.

RIVER BOYNE (IRE) stalked inside then between foes into the backstretch, steadied in tight off heels five eighths out, continued between foes to the stretch, came out some in the drive, bid three deep under left handed urging past the eighth pole to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. ARAWAK settled inside, came out into the stretch, split rivals in midstretch and gained the place three wide late. CALEXMAN sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back to a short lead past the eighth pole, could not match the winner late and was edged for second. INSCOM pulled some and stalked off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter to battle for the lead, took a short advantage into the stretch, fought back between foes in deep stretch and was edged for the show. RESTRAINEDVENGENCE chased outside a rival then stalked three deep, had the rider lose the whip three wide nearing the stretch and lacked a rally. MOVE OVER (GB) saved ground chasing the early pace then pulled his way up into a tight spot off heels five eighths out, stalked along the inside to the stretch and did not rally.

GYPSY BLU chased off the rail then four wide into the turn, continued three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, took the lead outside the runner-up in upper stretch, inched away under left handed urging past midstretch and won clear. Z Z TIGER sped to the early lead between foes, inched away and set the pace just off the rail, drifted out and fought back inside the winner in midstretch and held second. SUNRISE ROYALE bobbled some at the start, went up between foes to stalk the pace, steadied briefly between horses early on the turn, continued outside a rival into the stretch and bested the others toward the inside. DISLITLEAGLECANFLY stalked four wide on the backstretch and into the turn, angled in just off the rail on the turn, found the fence in the stretch and weakened. LUCKY HAND broke in and a bit slowly, went up inside to stalk the pace, steadied in tight into the turn, came out in the stretch and also weakened. CHAMPAGNE HONEY chased a bit off the rail then between horses, angled to the inside on the turn and had little left for the drive.

ESKIMO ROSES sped to the early lead, set all the pace a bit off the rail, remained clear under urging in the stretch then a long hold late. SIR EDDIE chased between foes then a bit off the rail, swung out four wide into the stretch and gained the place late. YOUNG HENDRICK stalked three deep then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and held third. BAHAMIAN close up stalking the pace between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. GOLDIE'S HILLS chased between rivals then a bit off the rail, continued inside on the turn, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RUMPUS CAT saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and also lacked a rally. BOILER PLATE stalked four wide then three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. MAGNUM MADURO saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on the turn and into and through the stretch and also weakened.

SPRING LILY had speed to duel between horses then stalked off the rail on the turn, re-bid between rivals in the stretch, drifted in a bit and got up under left handed urging toward the inside late. CONQUEST FLATTERME stalked outside then bid four wide, tracked the leaders outside on the turn, re-bid four wide into the stretch, took the lead four deep in midstretch, drifted in and battled outside the winner in the final sixteenth and was edged late. HOT AUTUMN dueled three deep then between horses on the backstretch and outside a rival on the turn, battled three wide between horses into the stretch and in midstretch and bested the others. DEMIGODDESS chased between horses then a bit off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and weakened. TYFOSHA broke through the gate before the start, angled in and dueled inside, fought back in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong. DIS SMART CAT broke out and was straightened then ducked in early, saved ground chasing the pace and also weakened. DUTCH MAMA broke a bit slow then was squeezed back, was between foes early then chased off the rail, angled in some on the turn and had little left for the stretch. SUMMER'S INDY off a bit slowly, chased between foes then outside, continued off the rail on the turn and a bit wide into the stretch and gave way.

DRIFT AWAY angled in and dueled inside, inched away on the second turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. MISCHIEVOUS SONG pressed the pace between horses then stalked inside, came out into the stretch and held second. BORNONVALENTINEDAY saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was edged for the place. TINY TINA angled in and settled off thee pace inside, came out in upper stretch and improved position. TAPITHA BONITA dueled three deep then outside the winner, stalked outside the runner-up on the second turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. BUNNY YOGURT chased outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch and second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. CASH CANNON tugged three deep then angled to the inside leaving the first turn, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also lacked a rally. CHICA LA HABANA (IRE) chased inside then between foes on the backstretch and outside a rival on the second turn and weakened. MONGOLIAN RAHY stalked off the rail then between horses on the backstretch and into the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened.

BELLAFINA had speed between foes then inched away, set the pace off the rail then inside on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch and drew off under some urging and steady handling late. DEL MAR MAY chased outside then off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for second. BOUJIE GIRL stalked four wide on the backstretch and into the turn, continued three deep into the stretch, drifted in some and lost the place late. DRAGIC broke a step slowly, saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the necessary response in the stretch. REFLECT chased outside then angled in a bit off the rail on the backstretch, went between horses on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. STIRRED broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail then chased between horses, split rivals on the turn, continued alongside a foe into the stretch and lacked the necessary response in the drive. SUMMERLAND stalked three deep between horses, dropped back leaving the turn and weakened. DICHOTOMY chased a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and also weakened. LADY LUCY stalked the pace between horses, dropped back on the turn and gave way. MADISON'S QUARTERS dropped back and came a bit off the rail early, continued just off the inside on the turn while being outrun and also gave way.

JOHNNY STRONG broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail, moved up inside on the turn, came three deep leaving the turn then angled in entering the lane, bid off the rail in the stretch to gain the lead past the eighth pole and held gamely under urging. SUPREME GIANT chased between horses then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch, took a short lead outside the winner and fought back to the end. CATCH FIRE broke in and a bit slowly, stalked inside, came out for room on the turn, steadied off heels three deep into the stretch and bested the others. ODYSSEY EXPLORER settled off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, angled inward in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. SKAGIT RIVER settled off the rail then outside a rival, came out five wide into the stretch and improved position. BRAG DUDE dueled four wide, dropped back on the turn, came five wide into the stretch, drifted in and weakened. TWISTED ROAD dueled three deep between horses then three wide leaving the turn, took a short lead into the stretch but weakened in the final furlong. WORKING had good early speed and dueled between horses, fought back on the turn and weakened in the drive. MASTERPIECE DAY also had good early speed, angled in and dueled inside, also fought back on the turn and weakened in the stretch. IF I HAD A NICKEL chased off the rail then outside a rival, went three deep into the turn and into the stretch and lacked a further response. SEVERIN stalked outside a rival then between horses into the turn, dropped back on the turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch.