Big Book opens winning chapter in Fleet Treat

Big Book brought a two-for-two mark into Saturday’s Fleet Treat S. at Del Mar and exited the seven-furlong sprint a stakes winner in her first try for trainer Tim Yakteen.

The seven-filly field broke together and stayed in a line through the opening quarter. That line eventually began breaking up as Patsy G and Me set the opening half-mile splits before fading on the turn.

Big Book maintained close contact with the front and fought it out with 3-5 favorite Sheer Pleasure and Kiss at Midnight to the wire.

The gray filly managed to pull away for a 2 1/4-length victory in her stakes bow and stopped the clock in 1:24.77 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. Kiss at Midnight got the best of Sheer Pleasure by a half-length.

Big Book was cutting back in this contest after taking a one-mile allowance/optional claimer at Santa Anita Park on June 13. Prior to that, the homebred sophomore was a nose maiden winner in her initial outing going six furlongs.

Thus far, Big Book has faced nothing but fellow California-breds and now has a chance to step outside that comfort zone in her next start.

The August 30 Torrey Pines S. (G3) at a mile would be the perfect opportunity to test open waters but Big Book’s connections could also opt to try her against older runners in the Tranquility Lake S. going eight furlongs on September 2.

The September 6 C.E.R.F. S., sending distaffers six furlongs, and August 16 Rancho Bernardo H. (G3), for fillies and mares sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs, are a couple other viable options for Big Book to run back at the current meet.

Big Book photo courtesy of Benoit Photos