DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Unusual Heatwave rallied from third coming out of the turn and dueled with Rousing Sermon in the stretch before scoring a 3/4-length win in the $200,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for 3-year-olds on Friday at Del Mar.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who has won half of Del Mar’s 14 stakes so far this summer, Unusual Heatwave covered seven furlongs in 1:22.35 and paid $8.80, $3.80 and $3. Rousing Sermon paid $3.60 and $3. Got Even paid $4.20 to show.
Derby Gold, the favorite from the barn of Bob Baffert, was never a factor and finished fifth in the field of seven.
A California-bred son of Unusual Heat, Unusual Heatwave has won three times in a dozen career starts.
The colt earned $111,000 to take his career total to $400,392.
