Miller wins three races at Del Mar with San Luis Rey-based runners

Three Peter Miller-trained horses based at the San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall recorded victories at Del Mar during the racing week of July 27-31.

Miller scored with the following runners: Kennedie Sky, who captured the sixth race on July 27; Stand by for News, who won the sixth race on July 29; and Big League, who took the third race on July 30.

Kennedie Sky, a 4-year-old filly who joined Miller's barn in late June, rallied from last in a field of nine to win a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance race on the turf by a half-length over 2-1 favorite Do The Dance.

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux rode Kennedie Sky, who was timed in 1:42.74 and paid $14.20 after collecting her second win in five career starts.

Stand by for News shipped into Miller's barn at San Luis Rey in July after running second in three consecutive races at Sunland Park in New Mexico. The 3-year-old filly shook the bridesmaid role at Del Mar when she rambled to a 5 3/4-length victory under jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr. in a six-furlong maiden-claiming ($20,000) race.

Stand by for News was the third wagering choice in a field of nine and paid $8.00 after stopping the timer in 1:10.90.

Big League, purchased for $100,000 in March by owner Rockingham Ranch, made an impressive career debut in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden allowance race. A Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown, Big League scored by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:03.49 with Arroyo merely along for the ride.

Big League had recorded three very strong workouts (best of the day at the distance) at San Luis Rey in preparation for his first start and the handicappers took notice, betting him down to 5-2. Big League paid $7.20.

San Luis Rey-based trainer Richard Baltas recorded a victory at Del Mar last Sunday (July 31) with the 5-year-old mare Salsita, who captured a one-mile turf contest for $40,000 claimers. Ridden by Arroyo in the fourth race on the card, Salsita came from just off the pace to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the 2-1 favorite. Salsita paid $6.40 after earning her sixth career victory

Ten horses from San Luis Rey had registered victories at Del Mar through the first 13 days of racing at the track's summer season.

During opening weekend, Song for Jade (trained by Janet Armstrong), Chasing Aces (Miller), and Barleysugar (Edward Freeman) all posted victories.

The 2-year-old Chasing Aces made headlines when he won a five-furlong maiden allowance race by 5 1/4 lengths in a blistering 56.21 seconds, breaking the 52-year-old track record of 56.40 seconds set by Soldier Girl in 1964. A Kentucky-bred colt, Chasing Aces was purchased in March for $250,000 by Rockingham Ranch.

In week two of the meeting, Five Star Jack and Zinvor won races for trainer Adam Kitchingman, and Cuddle Alert scored for veteran conditioner Sam Scolamieri.

There will be many more chances for San Luis Rey-based horses at Del Mar as the track's summer racing season runs through Monday, Sept. 5, Labor Day.