DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Vagabond Shoes held off Lucayan by a half-length to win the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap on Saturday.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Vagabond Shoes ran 1 3/8 miles on the turf in 2:11.94 and paid $6, $3.20 and $2.40 as the 2-1 favorite.
With the victory, the Ireland-bred gelding earned a berth in the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.
France-bred Lucayan returned $4 and $3.20, while Huntsville was another half-length back in third and paid $4.40 to show.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Vagabond Shoes’ career earnings to $425,497, with seven wins in 26 starts. It was the gelding’s first win in six U.S. starts after arriving from Europe.
