McCarron Adds to Resume

Jockey Chris McCarron had a couple of firsts Monday at Del Mar. Not only was his victory aboard 7-1 shot Romanceishope in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby his first in a graded stakes at the meet, but it was also his initial victory in the Grade II Derby.

A gelded California-bred son of In Excess, owned in partnership by breeder Shigehiro Hatake and Semji Nishimura and trained by Jenine Sahadi, Romanceishope took the lead in midstretch and went on to beat 9-1 shot Indygoshiner by a length in 1:474/5 for the 11/8 miles on turf. It was the most significant victory for Romanceishope, who placed second, beaten by a neck, as the 6-5 favorite in last month’s La Jolla Handicap.

It was his fifth victory in nine tries and he has not been worse than third in a career that began Jan. 7. Indygo Shiner, who had shipped from Saratoga for trainer Elliott Walden, finished a neck in front of Blue Steller, then came Sigfreto, Sligo Bay, Royal Ambition, Euribor, Marine, the 2-1 favorite who finished just ahead of entrymate Mizzen Mast, and Dr. Park, who had his saddle slip early and lost all chance.

“I’m so indebted to Chris and my whole staff,” said Sahadi. “Chris has spent so much time with this horse. He’s made him into a race horse. He’s been a bit of a project.

“When I first got him about a year and a half ago, he was dead lame for about two months with some really bad feet. I talked to [Hatake] about gelding him because he’s such a big boy. I told [Hatake] he was going to have to give me some time with him and he’s been very patient.”

McCarron, who has a record 134 stakes victories at Del Mar, is impressed with how Romanceishope has developed.

“He’s very honest, very consistent,” McCarron said. “He’s become more effective as he’s matured. He’s listening to our cues now and he does just about what you want him to do. He’s become very professional.”

*

Under an extremely confident ride from Gary Stevens, odds-on favorite Macho Uno won the $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park.

Trained by Joe Orseno for owner Frank Stronach, who was in attendance, the gray son of Holy Bull won for the fourth time in six starts. Unbridled Elaine was second and Touch Tone third.

*

Jockey John Velasquez closed Saratoga in a big way, winning a record six races, including the $500,000 Diana Handicap with 6-1 shot Starine.