Héctor Berríos added another major victory at Del Mar—and now returns to Chile for the St Leger

The jockey scored on Saturday in the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes aboard Just Aloof; he will now return home to ride the big race at Hipódromo Chile.

Héctor Berríos and Just Aloof scoring at Del Mar / BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special to Turf Diario)—It was a cross-country trip from New York, but Héctor Berríos made it count. Just Aloof (Justify–Aloof, by Galileo) delivered a polished stretch run to capture Saturday’s GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes, contested over a mile on the Del Mar turf and offering $103,000 in purse money.

A debut winner on Oct. 16 during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the Chad Brown trainee once again showcased her quality. Known for his expert ability to spot horses in the right races, Brown chose Southern California as her next destination—and the public backed the idea, sending her off as the favorite.

Unable to make the lead, Just Aloof settled comfortably in second while tracking a longshot pacesetter who posted fractions of :22.63 and :47.21. With six furlongs clocked in 1:12.36, she was already poised on the outside, and midway around the far turn she struck the front decisively.

Into the stretch, as the closers launched their bids, the filly never wavered, drawing clear for a 2 1/2-length victory. Latte Luv (Constitution) rallied for second, while La Ville Lumière (City of Light) and Yours Sincerely (Cable Bay {Ire}) finished in a dead-heat for third.

“This filly arrived Tuesday morning,” said José Hernández, Brown’s assistant. “She had been training very well and adapted perfectly to the track. The race set up for her. I didn’t tell Héctor (Berrios) much—Chad just wanted her warmed up properly and put in a comfortable spot. She did the rest.”

Berríos, the Chilean-born jockey, praised the winner’s professionalism: “When I went to chase the leader, she went with me. She’s very classy and finished strong. She got a little distracted in the stretch, but she’s a filly of great quality. And it’s nice to get my first win for Chad Brown.”

Berríos wrapped up an excellent Del Mar meet and will now return home to Chile in the coming days to ride in the GI St Leger, the traditional feature at Hipódromo Chile.