Olympic Native Sets Del Mar 7-Furlong Record

DEL MAR —  Trainer Mike Orman didn’t have the nerve to steal any prerace thunder before the much-ballyhooed rematch between D. Wayne Lukas’ On The Line and Henry Moreno’s Sam Who. So he kept to himself about the chances of his 4-year-year colt, Olympic Native, winning the $75,000-added Pat O’Brien Handicap Wednesday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

But after his horse had finished upsetting On The Line and setting a track record of 1:20 1/5 for the seven furlongs, Orman could no longer hold back.

“I didn’t want to sound overconfident, but I knew this horse had done everything we’ve asked so far, and I knew getting the 10 pounds would help, too,” said Orman.

Olympic Native, a winner of four of five starts at Del Mar, carried 116 pounds, while On The Line carried 126 and Sam Who 121.

Olympic Native stayed close to the two favorites throughout the race before slipping past On The Line at the head of the stretch and finally winning by a half length.

Orman said he is taking the races one at a time but expects to be at the Nov. 4 Breeders Cup at Florida’s Gulfstream Park.

Robbie Davis rode Olympic Native, owned by Helen Smith of La Jolla and son Joe Alvarez of Rancho Santa Fe, to his fourth stakes victory of the meeting.

“It set up perfect,” Davis said. “My horse broke alertly, and I just wanted to see what developed. Then I just let those two (On The Line and Sam Who) go.”

“When (Laffit Pincay, on Sam Who) switched to his left lead on the turn, he (Olympic Native) kind of accelerated on his own. He ran fairly easily. I didn’t have to abuse him at all. He really surprised me.”

The race, which featured only four horses because of two late scratches, was supposed to provide Sam Who an opportunity to avenge his loss to On The Line in the July 30 Bing Crosby Handicap. But after going neck and neck with On The Line for three furlongs, Sam Who faded badly.

Olympic Native, a 13-2 choice, paid $15 and $3 in a race with just win and place payoffs because of the small field. On The Line paid $2.20.

The old seven-furlong record of 1:20 2/5 was set by Bold Brawley in the Pat O’Brien three years ago.

Del Mar Notes

Imperial Lad, a 3-year-old colt ridden by Robbie Davis, broke his left front leg in the fourth race during the stretch run. The horse was later humanely destroyed. Davis suffered only bruises.