Eastern Shipper Sister Otoole First in CTT & TOC Stakes at Del Mar
DEL MAR, Calif.— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Sister Otoole proved a “run-right-off-the-plane” winner Friday over seven rivals in the $131,500 CTT & TOC Stakes for fillies and mares at the demanding distance of a mile and three eighths on the Del Mar lawn.
The 5-year-old Florida-bred mare made two moves in the turf marathon, moving up from last to third on the backstretch the second time around, then firing again through the lane to capture a hard-fought victory by half a length.
Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for trainer H. Graham Motion, who shipped Sister Otoole west from his Fair Hill training center in Maryland along with one of his top 3-year-old fillies. That would be Spendarella, who goes as the betting favorite tomorrow in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks.
Finishing second in the Friday’s long-distance turf test was Calumet Farm’s Scarabea, while Kaleem Shah’s Bellamore checked in third.
Sister Otoole ran the distance in 2:15.27 and earned $60,000 for her efforts, pushing her bankroll up to $298,032.
She paid $11.00, $5.20 and $4.20. Scarabea returned $8.00 and $5.00, while Bellamore paid $5.20 to show.
First post at Del Mar Saturday will be at 2 p.m. The 10-race card will feature the $300,000 Oaks, a nine-furlong grass test that has drawn 14 3-year-old fillies.