DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Long-shot Affretando won the $77,000 Healthcare Purse at Del Mar when favorite and first-place finisher Vibrato Jazz was disqualified to second for interference Thursday.
Vibrato Jazz and jockey Victor Espinoza rallied to beat Affretando and Rafael Bejarano by a neck, but the stewards ruled the favorite drifted out in the stretch of the turf race, forcing Affretando and Bejarano to pull up.
It was the second straight day a favorite was disqualified in Del Mar’s feature. Distinctiv Passion was penalized for drifting out Wednesday, giving Sirocco Strike the win in the Green Flash Handicap.
A 4-year-old gelding trained by Mike Pender, Affretando paid $30.20, $12.20 and $6.60 for his second victory in 13 lifetime starts. Vibrato Jazz returned $5 and $3.60, and Sumerian paid $5.20 to show.