Iotapa wins Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar

Published Aug. 2, 2014 10:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Iotapa won the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for older fillies and mares by a half-length Saturday at Del Mar.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Iotapa ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.04 and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.40 as the even-money favorite.

Broken Sword returned $4.40 and $3.40, while Parranda was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $3.80 to show.

Broken Sword went to the lead out of the gate and Iotapa moved up on the outside turning into the stretch. She took a short lead but had to dig deep to hold off Broken Sword, who carried four pounds less than the 123 carried by Iotapa.

''My filly is special and this was a heckuva win for her,'' Talamo said. ''And I have to give (trainer) John Sadler all the credit. He's picked his spots for this filly and she's really doing well.''

The victory, worth $180,000, increased Iotapa's career earnings to $796,796, with six wins in 12 starts.

With the win, the 4-year-old filly earned an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita this fall, ensuring her entry fees and expenses will be paid.