DEL MAR NOTES: Zardana a 43-1 winner in Osunitas Handicap

By JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:09 PM PDT ∞

DEL MAR ---- Jockey Aaron Gryder had quite an afternoon on Saturday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

He won the featured Grade II San Diego Handicap on Well Armed. He followed that by winning the eighth race aboard Outrageous Limit ($13.60) and the co-featured Osunitas Handicap aboard Zardana.

The Osunitas win was a real stunner at odds of 43-1. In retrospect, the 4-year-old filly shouldn't have been that price considering her connections.

Zardana is trained by the track's all-time winningest trainer, Hall of Famer Ron McAnally. The win moved McAnally within one victory of Charlie Whittingham in second place on the all-time stakes list (74-73).

Zardana is also an import from Brazil, and McAnally has had phenomenal success with fillies from the Southern Hemisphere.

Anyone remember Bayakoa or Paseana? Still, she got no respect at the betting windows after fading to fifth in an allowance race June 4 at Hollywood Park.

"Last time they asked me to put her on the lead," said Gryder, "and today in the paddock Mr. McAnally said let's try to get her to settle. She did."

Said McAnally: "I just told him we had to try something different (after last time). I just said to let her relax and run the last part."

Zardana hit the finish line in 1 minute, 42.28 seconds for the 1 1/16 mile on the turf course.

Despite Zardana's win, there will be no two-day carryover in the Pick Six.

There were two winning tickets worth $356,909.60 each.

According to track officials, one ticket was a $12 play purchased through Television Games (TVG) and an $8 ticket was bought in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas ticket was "pushed" into the Pick Six when long shot Silent Smoke was scratched at the gate in the 10th race. That meant the ticket was given the post time favorite, Improvising Gal ($4), who ended up dead-heating for the win with Dumaani's Gold ($6.20).

Not so fast

The first disqualification of the meet came in Saturday's fifth race when It's Time to Shine was taken down from a third-place finish and placed fifth.

Track stewards ruled apprentice jockey Michael Martinez came out on the turn and hit Continental Dancer, causing interference.

Martinez will likely see the stewards today and receive a three-day suspension.

Spot play

Staff writer Jeff Nahill's spot wagering play for Sunday: Trainer Carla Gaines is one of our favorite plays at Del Mar. In Sunday's ninth race, she has Quite the Man (No. 10) coming back off a long layoff. Bet $15 to win and place.

Sunday's wager: $30

Saturday's result: Minus $9

Season: Plus $27.50