Del Mar CTBA Stakes : Pincay Quiets His Critics Early With Major Victory

During his brilliant career, jockey Laffit Pincay has seldom heard a disparaging word. When he hears one, he remembers. Then he sets out quickly to do something about it.

Friday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Pincay won his first stakes race of the meeting, piloting 9-5 favorite Saros Brig to a half-length win in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. Stakes run at 6 furlongs for 2-year-old California bred fillies.

Last year, Pincay, despite winning the riding championship here, did not ride a winner in a major stakes race until the final day of the meeting. In the Del Mar Futurity, he finally reached the winner’s circle aboard Tasso.

Pincay recalled last year’s failures and laughed. He’s happy to have remedied the situation so quickly this year.

“Thank God I don’t have to worry about that anymore,” Pincay said. “You (writers) won’t be able to write about that this year.”

For a while Friday, it wasn’t clear whether Pincay would be able get his redemption. Saros Brig, a rather large filly, struggled out of the gate and was last, about five lengths back, heading into the far turn.

She started to move at that point, however, and soared down the stretch to get past front-running Joey The Trip at the wire.

Saros Brig paid $5.80, $4.20 and $3.00. Joey The Trip returned $7.20 and $4.00 to place and Windy Triple K. paid $3.40 to show.

“Since she’s so big, she has trouble coming out of the gate,” Pincay said. “I think she’ll do even better at a longer distance.”

Saros Brig’s trainer, Joseph Manzi, agreed. He said he is pointing for the 7-furlong Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 18. If all goes well, Manzi said he hopes to run Saros Brig in the Del Mar Debutante Aug. 31.

Del Mar Notes Prince Bobby B., the winner of the Oceanside Stakes here opening day, will next run in either the La Jolla Mile on Aug. 3 or the Del Mar Derby Aug. 17, his owner-trainer David Bernstein said Friday. “He may even go in both races,” Bernstein said. Prince Bobby B. won the Oceanside by 4 1/2 lengths in a course-record time of 1:34 1/5 for a mile on the turf. . . . Today’s $37,500-added Osunitas Stakes will be run in two divisions, taking place in the fifth and eighth races. Seasonal Pickup, ridden by Fernando Toro, will be saddled with the top weight of 116 pounds in the first division, and Only, with Bill Shoemaker up, will carry the top weight of 119 pounds in the second division.