Cambodia continued to show her consistency as she won her third graded stakes race of the year by taking the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) at Del Mar. The 5-year-old War Front mare completed the nine furlong turf contest in 1:47.79.
Placed within striking distance in mid-pack early by jockey Drayden Van Dyke, Cambodia rallied between horses entering the stretch to take command. Goodyearforroses came running late, but Camboida proved too game as she went on to win by three-quarters a length.
“She was really relaxed today—all class,” said Van Dyke. “She can be a little quirky sometimes, but today she was calm. We thought she might be close to the lead, but she was just going so easy, I was happy with where I was. When it came time, she fired. I was just a passenger today.”
Cambodia came into the John C. Mabee off of a score in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) at Del Mar in August. Earlier this year, she claimed the Gallorette Stakes (G3) at Pimlico in her first attempt at graded stakes company.
Tom Proctor trains the homebred mare for Don Robinson’s Winter Quarter Farm. She was bred in partnership with Maverick Productions.
“I felt so fortunate to win the Yellow Ribbon and I look at this as icing on the cake,” said Robinson. “This filly has never been a mile and an eighth, and to do it this way – rate and close – I’m over the top. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I’ve raised some awfully good ones for other people, but this is a thrill. This is a crowning achievement.”
War Front has 25 stakes horses to his credit this year, including G1 winners Roly Poly and American Patriot. North America’s #1 sire of stakes winners in 2016, War Front stands for $250,000 at Claiborne.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9o5rrDEamU[/embedyt]