Golden State Series: Solana Beach Stakes

BY TRACY GANTZ

It’s not surprising that California-bred Pulpit Rider loves Del Mar. Te seaside track ofers plenty of opportunity over the turf course, and Pulpit Rider, winner of the $122,500 Solana Beach Stakes Aug. 15, gets her afnity for that surface from both sides of her pedigree.

Larry and Marianne Williams have shepherded multiple generations of Pulpit Rider’s bloodlines. Tey not only bred and race the 5-year-old mare but also bred and raced her sire, Lucky Pulpit, and her dam, Lady Railrider.

Lucky Pulpit placed in numerous stakes, and his sole stakes victory came on the turf at Arlington Park in the 2005 Smile Stakes. He became one of California’s leading sires, and while he will always be known as the sire of California Chrome, he still ranks high on the list of leading California turf sires three years after his death.

Lady Railrider won four stakes on all-weather tracks, often an indication of turf ability, and her nine stakes-placings included turf performances. She ultimately earned $603,041.

Mike Puype has trained Pulpit Rider throughout her career. She has now won stakes at Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields, and Del Mar.

© BENOIT PHOTO

Larry and Marianne Williams’ homebred Pulpit Rider, blinkers, hangs loose to win the Solana Beach Stakes by a nose at Del Mar

“She always runs her best here at Del Mar,” said Puype.

Bettors apparently didn’t agree because they made Pulpit Rider the longest shot in the fve-horse Solana Beach feld at 11- 1. She faced 1-2 favorite Mucho Unusual, winner of Del Mar’s San Clemente Stakes (G2T) in 2019; Cordiality, the 2018 Solana Beach winner; stakes winner Kitty Boom Boom; and stakes-placed Sedamar.

Pulpit Rider came away from the gate in last for the one-mile Solana Beach, but jockey Juan Hernandez did not panic.

“She broke a little slow, so I didn’t rush with her,” he said. “She was nice and relaxed, so I felt OK.”

Kitty Boom Boom opened up a threelength lead, with the other three in between.

“I waited until the quarter pole, and then I asked her,” said Hernandez. “She gave me a good kick.”

Into the stretch the other four raced together as a team, but Pulpit Rider geared up to pass them all. It took her until the fnal moments, yet she prevailed by a nose over Sedamar, with Mucho Unusual third. Pulpit Rider completed the mile in 1:34.46.

“Close, but we got it,” said Hernandez.

Puype praised Hernandez’s ride.

“She kind of likes to ease out and get in the middle of the track in her races,” the trainer said. “Hats of to her for digging for it, and hats of to Juan for a great ride.”

Puype was winning his second edition of the Solana Beach. He earlier saddled Chati’s On Top to win in 2015.

Pulpit Rider isn’t the frst foal by Pulpit and from Lady Railrider to do well. Te mare’s frst foal, Halo Darlin, by Pulpit, earned $186,545. In between those two, Lady Railrider produced stakes-placed Fiery Lady, a daughter of Unusual Heat and an earner of $218,602.

Sacred Rider, from Lucky Pulpit’s last full crop and out of Lady Railrider, is a 3-year-old gelding. He has already placed in three stakes, most recently fnishing second in the Robert Dupret Derby at Golden Gate on the turf. Lady Railrider has a yearling flly by Rousing Sermon and has been bred this year to Tamarando.