We'll Be Right Back

- I guess it was just a coincidence that last evening I saw the Seinfeld episode in which Kramer finds the set from the Merv Griffin show in a dumpster and sets it up in his apartment. [ELAINE: Phew! This chair smells like garbage. KRAMER: Oh, well a lot of the stars from the 70's - they were not as hygienic as they appeared on TV] A bit later on, Merv’s 2 yo Stevie Wonderboy took the closing day stakes at Del Mar, the G2 Del Mar Futurity, in spectacular fashion. He was sitting 9th as they approached the turn, circled very wide - the chart says 5 wide but it looked like 6 or 7 to me - and absolutely devoured the field (“four rivals looked like leaves blowing in the opposite direction,” according to Hank Wesch of the San Diego Tribune), winning by 5 lengths in 1:22.43 for the 7 furlongs. He got the final eighth in 12.87 seconds despite being under wraps at the finish - under a long hold late - according to the chartcaller.

"It seemed like (Stevie Wonderboy) was going two (strides) to their one the last eighth of a mile," said trainer Doug O'Neill. "I keep saying it over and over: He's a 2-year-old that acts like a 5-year-old. I haven't been around that long, but I haven't seen many horses like that." [SignOnSanDiego.com]

This is a colt with a highly unusual pedigree – bordering on incestuous. He’s by Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy) out of a Summer Squall mare. Since A.P. Indy and Summer Squall are both out of Weekend Surprise, Stevie’s grandparents are half-brother and sister, EW! For second year sire Stephen Got Even, who continues to be a bit of a disappointment at stud, it’s only his second stakes winner, the other being Don’t Get Mad.

- So much for Borrego training up to the BC Classic. He worked 5 furlongs in 1:01 today, prepping for a start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. [Thoroughbred Times]

- Richard Dutrow entered not one, but two rabbits for Saint Liam in Saturday’s Woodward. Recent claim Show Boot showed up in the entries in addition to Crafty Player, though only one is likely to run. Just four betting entries in the Grade 1, $500,000 stake; Zito entered Sir Shackleton, who will be coupled with Commentator, and who could also benefit from a ridiculous pace if the race falls apart. Todd Pletcher’s Shaniko rounds out the short field.

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