Sat Jul 19 20:36:49 2008

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Well Armed uncatchable in San Diego Handicap

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Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Well Armed went wire-to-wire Saturday in winning the $300,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. The win in the 1 1/16 mile race gives Well Armed an automatic spot in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile as part of the "Win and You're In" program.

Ridden by Aaron Gryder, Well Armed took the lead shortly after the start and the led the 10 horse field into the clubhouse turn and up the backstretch. Running in second was Global Hunter with Surf Cat and Tall Texan vying for third.

Well Armed, sent off as the 8-5 favorite, continued on the lead through the turn for home and into the stretch. The five-year-old gelding maintained his lead through the stretch and was never seriously challenged.

Rallying down the stretch was the 4-1 third choice Surf Cat to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner, with Mostacolli Mort advancing into third and Mr Napper Tandy finishing fourth.

Well Armed set a stakes record of 1:41.57 for the 67th running of the San Diego Handicap on Del Mar's synthetic track.

Rounding out the order of finish was Rebellion, Global Hunter, Tall Texan, You Got Me Rocking, Magnum and Racketeer.

The San Diego also serves as the local prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday, August 24. Not entered in the San Diego was 2007 Pacific Classic winner Student Council who is training at Saratoga. The six-year-old, however, is expected to be at Del Mar on August 24.

Well Armed, trained by Eoin Harty for WinStar Farms, was making his first start since his third-place result behind Curlin in the Dubai World Cup in March. Earlier this year the five-year-old gelding defeated Heatseeker in the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita and was second in the San Pasqual behind Zappa and ahead of Heatseeker.

The San Diego victory was worth $180,000 to bring Well Armed's career earnings to just over $1 million. The gelding has five wins in 17 career starts.

Well Armed returned $5.40, $3.60 and $2.80. Surf Cat paid $4.40 and $3.40, and Mostacolli Mort paid $4.60 to show.