DEL MAR : McCarron, a Late Add, Rides Feature Winner

When Eddie Delahoussaye asked off of Wednesday’s mounts after undergoing a root canal, trainer Melvin Stute went with Chris McCarron on Desert Pirate in the featured Graduation Stakes and came away with a 5 1/2-length victory over favored Charlie Galea.

It was actually amazing that McCarron did not have a mount in the first place, since he is the valedictorian of the Graduation Stakes. Wednesday’s victory was his eighth in the six-furlong race for Cal-bred 2-year-olds.

Stute told McCarron to ride the race according to his instincts, but did have instructions for the post parade.

“He ran off with Alex (Solis) during the post parade at Hollywood Park,” Stute said. “Go off the wrong way and stay away from the other horses.”

Desert Pirate ran away from the other horses in the race itself, putting away the 4-5 favorite Charlie Galea after a duel to the far turn.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Stevens, serving a five-day suspension, will ride both Grade I races this weekend, getting Lyin To The Moon in the Ramona Handicap Saturday and Wharf in the Eddie Read Handicap Sunday. Both are “designated races” that are not affected by suspensions. . . . Silver Music, the winner of the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park July 23, has been supplemented for the Aug. 13 Pacific Classic. Both the Swaps and the Classic are run at 1 1/4 miles.