DEL MAR : Flawlessly-Jolypha Duel Is Iffy

Flawlessly and Jolypha will meet in (a) Saturday’s Ramona Handicap for fillies and mares, (b) Sunday’s Eddie Read Handicap or (c) not at all . . . at least this weekend.

Flawlessly, a 5-year-old mare, and Jolypha, a 4-year-old filly, are nominated for both races, each a Grade I turf stake over 1 1/8 miles with a $300,000-added purse. A third female, Juddmonte Farms’ Toussaud, was nominated for both races but has been withdrawn because of a fever.

Charlie Whittingham’s Flawlessly drew the top weight assignment Wednesday for the Ramona, getting 125 pounds to Jolypha’s 121. Flawlessly did not get much of a break against the males Sunday, being assigned 119 pounds, second to Kotashaan’s 122.

Although Jolypha, third in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Classic behind horse of the year A.P. Indy and Pleasant Tap, has experience running against males, she was tentatively listed in the probable field for the Ramona with Kent Desormeaux aboard. She was not listed for the Eddie Read, but that may change.

Flawlessly, the Eclipse Award winner among female turf runners last year, is listed as part of the probable field for both races, with Chris McCarron up.

“We’ll keep our options open,” Whittingham said.

Assigned weights for fillies and mares entered in the Ramona: Flawlessly, 125; Jolypha, 121; Toussaud, 121; Let’s Elope, 118; Magical Maiden, 118; Re Toss, 117; Miss Turkana, 115; Heart of Joy, 114; Silvered, 114; Sun and Shade, 114; Border Mate, 112; Kalita Melody, 112; Pleasant Baby, 112, and Steff Graf, 112.

Assigned weights for nominees to the Eddie Read: Kotashaan, 122; Flawlessly, 119; The Tender Track, 117; Al Nasr Alwasheek, 116; Leger Cat, 116; Jolypha, 115; Man From Eldorado, 115; Toussaud, 115; Stark South, 114; Idle Son, 113; L’Express, 113; Rainbow Corner, 113, and Patriotaki, 111.

Horse Racing Notes

Del Mar had a record Pick Three payoff for the first three races Wednesday. Lakotay ($45.80), Gambling Mistress ($26.80) and Bazillions ($48.60) combined for a $47,659.20 bonanza. . . . And the longshots kept on coming. No winning payoff was under double figures until the Graduation Stakes, the eighth race. . . . Troyalty, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, won the feature and paid $5 as the second choice.