Racing at Del Mar : Mazilier, Toro Win Escondido After a Battle With Neshad

Mazilier won a stretch battle with Neshad to score a head victory in Saturday’s $67,050 Escondido Handicap on the turf at Del Mar.

Mazilier, ridden by Fernando Toro, surged to the front in the upper stretch but then was overtaken by Neshad briefly before Mazilier edged slightly ahead again in the final strides.

Carrying 115 pounds, Mazilier was clocked in 1:42 2/5 in the 1 1/16-mile race on the turf course.

Miracle Horse, sent off as an 8-5 favorite by the crowd of 19,394, was blocked on the turn for home but then finished strongly to take third, three-quarters of a length behind Neshad.

Mazilier, a 4-year-old son of Lyphard and Marie Curie, paid $15.20, $6.20 and $3.20. Neshad, ridden by Chris McCarron and carrying 116 pounds, paid $5.40 and $3.80. The show payoff on Miracle Horse, with Gary Stevens and 118, was $2.60.

The victory was Mazilier’s second in six starts this year.