The doctor is most definitely in
Two-year-old Dr. Schivel stepped up in a big way Sept. 7 for his ownership partnership of Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal, William Branch, and William Dean Reeves. The Violence colt, who broke his maiden 30 days ago at Del Mar, pulled off a hard-fought victory in the $250,500 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) at the California track.
Dr. Schivel was bred by William A. Branch and Arnold R. Hill and is the latest Grade 1 winner foaled and raised at Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Despite having only six horses in the gate, there was trouble at the break when Dixie’s Two Stents and Scooby both ducked in and collided briefly. In an attempt to recover, jockey Umberto Rispoli pulled Scooby back to allow Dixie’s Two Stents room. Dyn O Mite took advantage of the incident to get up for fourth behind the trio of front runners comprised of Dr. Schivel, Weston, and Spielberg.
Spielberg, guided by Abel Cedillo on the rail, set early fractions of :22.49 and :45.14 for the half-mile while running just a head in front of Dr. Schivel and Weston, who traded places along the backstretch for second and third.
Pressing his rivals along the backstretch, Dr. Schivel, ridden by Flavien Prat, waited until the front half of the field reached the top of the turn before surging forward. The colt was a half-length ahead of Spielberg at the top of the stretch and was angled in by Prat to duel more closely with the leader.
Dr. Schivel and Spielberg, who would not be had so easily, ran neck-and-neck for precious seconds and Spielberg fought to hold onto his lead. But in the end Spielberg’s efforts were not enough and Dr. Schivel pulled away to win, crossing the wire 1 3/4 lengths clear. Final time for the seven-furlongs on the fast track was 1:24.16.
Spielberg took second 3 3/4 lengths in front of Weston in third. Scooby, Dyn O Mite, and Dixie’s Two Stents completed the order of finish.
“He broke well, then he got a little aggressive on me,” said Prat. “I tried to give him a little breather on the turn, then when I asked him he was a runner. He’s a nice colt.”
The Del Mar Futurity marked the 50th win of the 27-day meet for Prat. The win gave the 28-year-old Frenchmen his fifth Del Mar riding title after a fierce, season-long battle with the Italian newcomer Rispoli, who finished one behind with 49.
-edited from www.bloodhorse.com
