Spring House wins second-straight Del Mar Handicap August 31st, 2009
Seven-year-old gelding Spring House rallied in the final yards Sunday to beat Sir Dave by a nose and win the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap for the second straight year.
Ridden by Alex Solis for trainer Julio Canani, Spring House was eighth in the field of 10 for much of the race and was fifth at the top of the stretch, but kicked home for the win, covering 1 3-8 miles in 2:12.61. The gelding set a course record of 2:11.14 a year ago.
Spring House paid $7.60, $4.60 and $3.80. Sir Dave paid $10 and $5.80. Temple City was third and paid $5.40 to show.
The favorite, Artiste Royal, was never a factor and had to rally to finish fourth.
The victory gave Spring House an automatic berth in the Breeders Cup Turf on Nov. 7 at Santa Anita. He finished ninth in that race a year ago.
Sundays victory was Spring Houses 10th win in 43 lifetime starts and pushed his earnings past the million mark for a total of $1,121,284.