DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Irish-bred Elektrum beat Queen of The Sand by a head Saturday at Del Mar in the Grade 2 $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes for older fillies and mares.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by John Sadler, the 4-year-old Elektrum ran 1 1/8 miles on the infield turf course in 1:48.55. The Hronis Stable-owned filly paid $8.60, $4.40 and $3.60 for her fourth victory in 15 races. She earned $150,000 to push her total to $299,430.
''I had to work hard at the end, but it was worth it!'' Espinoza said. ''She ran good. But they caught me by surprise. They all came at me at once. But she's a fighter. She was strong at the end. We got it done.''
Queen of The Sand returned $8.40 and $4.80, and Emotional Kitten paid $3.80 to show.
In the Grade 2 $200,000 Best Pal for 2-year-olds, Nyquist beat Swipe by 5 1/4 lengths to remain unbeaten in two starts. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Nyquist ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track in 1:16.84.
Nyquist, a $400,000 purchase at the Fasig Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training last March, is owned by the Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O'Neill.
Nyquist paid $4, $2.60 and $2.40 and earned $120,000 for a total of $153,600. Swipe returned $3.40 and $2.40, and Annie's Candy paid $3 to show.
