Motion, Van Dyke team to sweep stakes races at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Ring Weekend won the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap for older horses by a head over Vyjack on a rainy Saturday at Del Mar.

Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Ring Weekend ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:42.29 and paid $8, $4 and $2.40.

Van Dyke and Maryland-based trainer Graham Motion teamed up to sweep the day's stakes races. They also won the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies with Journey Home.

''This is the first time I've won two stakes in one day. Feels good,'' Van Dyke said.

In the Grade 2 Seabiscuit, Vyjack returned $4.80 and $2.40 as the 3-1 second choice, while 3-2 favorite Om was another half-length back in third and paid $2.20 to show.

The victory, worth $120,000, increased Vyjack's career earnings to $1,448,744, with seven wins in 20 starts.

Journey Home rallied from last in the 13-horse field to win the Grade 3 Durante by 1 1/4 lengths, running a mile on turf in 1:38.24. She paid $17.80, $8.20 and $4.60.

Defiant Honor returned $5 and $3.40, while 2-1 favorite With Honors was another neck back in third and paid $2.80 to show.

Journey Home's victory earned her $60,000.

The Durante was run in rainy, windy conditions after a squall hit the area shortly before post time. Several fillies appeared to jump some foam drain covers which had blown onto the turf course at the clubhouse turn. The stewards conducted an inquiry and ruled that the incident did not affect the running of the race.

''I am sure it has happened for Graham to win two stakes in a day, but this is the first time I've won two (on travel assignment for him),'' said Alice Clapham, Motion's assistant. ''I talked to him after the first race and he was a little worried at the time that they might call the race a no contest, but he was very happy with the way the filly ran. Drayden gave both our horses great rides and it worked out well.''