Cambodia added another graded stakes victory to her resume with her determined victory in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) at Del Mar.
The 5-year-old War Front mare stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch, bid three wide to gain the lead past the eighth pole, and gamely held off second-place finisher Pretty Girl by three-quarters of a length to get the win.
“The key for her is to get her to relax,” said winning jockey Drayden Van Dyke. “Could she run on? If she relaxes, I think she can do anything. It was a very good race for her today.”
Tom Proctor trains Cambodia for Don Robinson’s Winter Quarter Farm, and the mare’s victory proved extra special for her connections.
“I’ve had this filly’s entire family, and it’s the ultimate breeder’s reward,” said Robinson. “I’ve never had a horse of my own of this quality. Thank you, Tom Proctor. He’s the horseman’s horseman, and this is just a thrill. This is the biggest thrill of my life.”
Cambodia has now won graded stakes on both coasts, having taken the Gallorette Stakes (G3) at Pimlico in May. She is out of the winning Smart Strike mare Sassifaction, who also raced as a Winter Quarter homebred.
War Front has 23 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=QD5fPtu7zuQ[/embedyt]