MICKS MIRACLE IMPRESSIVE

Although two stakes were run Saturday at Del Mar, the most impressive performance was in a first-level allowance sprint. MICKS MIRACLE crushed his race-9 rivals, unleashing a breathtaking display of speed that stamps him as a future star. 

Future stars are needed, because a former star has seen better days. BAYERN is not the same horse that won the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic; he finished a dull third in the G2 San Diego won by CATCH A FLIGHT. No one hit the pick six; the carryover into Sunday is $104,268. Here’s what happened Saturday at Del Mar …

Race 1 – BRIMSTONED ($10.20), recently gelded, crushed this Cal-bred maiden-50. Jockey Brice Blanc ended a 0-for-30 skid, winning for the first time since May 30. Favorite STORMIN TRICK broke poorly from the rail, was stuck inside and behind runners, was shuffled back on the turn, and finished a distant fifth. Toss it out.

Race 2 – PREACHER ROE ($30.20) set the pace and wired the field of $10k claiming veterans. The favorite FIT TO RULE broke down.

Race 3 – BIG BOOK ($9.40) made it 3-for-3 winning the $200k Fleet Treat Stakes for Cal-bred fillies. The final time was a slow 1:24.77. Favorite SHEER PLEASURE finished a disappointing third at odds-on. This was not a good race.

Race 4 – SPIN FORTY ($23.20) rallied wide to win this $50k claiming sprint for 3yos in 1:23.89, more than four-fifths faster than the filly stakes a half-hour earlier.

Race 5 – UNUSUAL TASTE ($32.60) upset the N1X turf route, final leg of a 50-cent pick five that paid $112,932.10. The record payoff is $163,886 on Aug. 2, 2013.

Race 6 – EXAGGERATOR ($6.20), a 2-year-old colt by Curlin making his second start, won by a nose. The win was better than the margin. Exaggerator was blocked and shuffled at the quarter pole, waited, re-rallied wide, and was up. Final time of 1:11.50 is likely to get a number in the 70s. The win was better than that. Runner-up MINER’S LIGHT finished more than five lengths clear of third.

Race 7 – CHAULK O LATTEY ($7.80) led gate to wire in this N1X turf route. The time was 1:35.35, slightly slower than the first division. Final time for race 5 was 1:35.04, with similar early fractions. Race 5 was stronger than race 7.

Race 8 – Catch a Flight ($8.40) parlayed a perfect trip into a decent win the in the G2 San Diego. He wore down APPEALING TALE in deep stretch, to win the mile and a sixteenth race in 1:43.08. That is likely to get a figure in the 90s, which won’t get it done Aug. 22 in the G1 Pacific Classic.

Appealing Tale dueled Bayern into submission and proved tough to down in a race that sets him up for the G2, seven-furlong Pat O’Brien on Aug. 22. 

As for Bayern, he was spent at the head of the lane, and finished a weary third. Bayern is 0-for-3 since winning the BC Classic, and is not the horse he was last year. Fourth-place finisher Hoppertunity was a flat fourth.

Race 9 – Micks Miracle ($5.20) produced the performance of the day, scorching a N1X allowance in 1:15.72 for six and a half furlongs. That should earn a triple-digit figure. He did it the hard way. Micks Miracle broke from post 2, set the pace inside while hounded through legitimate fractions (:22.48 and :45.48), then burst away at the head of the lane. Track announcer Trevor Denman called it “eye-opening.” That would be an understatement. 

Micks Miracle, now 2-for-3, is a star in the making for trainer Phil D’Amato and owner-breeder John Liviakis. Wow.

Race 10 – FOOLISH WAYS ($24.60) won the finale, a maiden turf route, in her tenth career start. No one hit the pick six. The carryover into Sunday is $104,268.