Big John B Dominates Del Mar ‘Cap by Paulick Report Staff|08.23.201408.24.2014|8:55pm8:45am Big John B wins the Del Mar Handicap Former claimer Big John B kicked clear on the far turn to register a powerful performance in the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday afternoon. The 5-year-old gelding sat well back with Mike Smith, taking the lead at the head of the stretch to win by open lengths. Bench Light finished second, and Bright Thought was third. The final time for the mile and three-eighths turf event was 2:12.81. Big John B has changed hands several times during his 28-race career, but trainer Phil D'Amato snatched him from a claiming race this past spring and has since saddled him to three straight wins. This was the gelding's 11th lifetime victory, and his first in stakes company. Owned by Michael House, Big John B was bred by Brylynn Farm in Florida. He is by Darley Stud's Hard Spun and out of Baldomera, a stakes-winning daughter of Doneraile Court. Starspangled Heat, Unbridled Command, Poshky, Si Sage, and Fire With Fire completed the order of finish. Topic and Cogito were eased out of contention, and Ice Cream Truck, Irish Surf, and Quick Casablanca were scratches. View the full chart here.