Ces’t Mark Goes for Seconds

Ces’t Mark, a California-bred daughter of Benchmark, will be looking for her second stakes win of the meet when she meets seven other 2-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Generous Portion today at Del Mar.

Owned by trainer Jose Silva and his wife, Melissa, Ces’t Mark finished fourth, beaten only by half a length, in her debut May 3 at Hollywood Park. But since then she has won two in a row.

She followed her maiden win in Inglewood on June 4 with a neck victory in the $134,000 CTBA on July 21. The 2-1 second choice that day, Ces’t Mark, who was purchased for $5,000 as a yearling at the Barretts October sale, beat Won More Penny, who is also entered in the Generous Portion, in 1:04 2/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

Apprentice Martin Garcia, who is facing 22 days worth of suspensions beginning Thursday, is two for two on Ces’t Mark and he will be aboard again today as she stretches to six furlongs for the first time.

The Generous Portion also features the return of Little City. A daughter of Swiss Yodeler and owned by trainer Mike Harrington, she hasn’t been out since beating maidens by one length May 25 at Hollywood Park.

Shawklit Sundae and Outofthepast, the two fillies who finished directly behind her that day, were next-out winners. Little City will be facing Cal breds for the first time today after competing against open company in her first two. Michael Baze will ride.

Race of the day: Brushed Gold, a first-out winner July 31, will seek a repeat in the $70,000 P.G. Johnson today at Saratoga. John Velazquez will ride the 2-year-old Touch Gold filly for owner-breeder Stonerside Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher in the race at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Other contenders include Sophie’s Salad, Hold That Thought and Changeisgonnacome.

One for the road: Worththebother gets a confident boost in class after being claimed and can graduate in his second career start in the fifth race today at Arlington Park. Eddie Martin Jr. will ride the 3-year-old Bertrando gelding for hot trainer Larry Rivelli, who claimed the California bred for $25,000 on Aug. 11 for owners George Ditola and Dare To Dream Stable. Worththebother will break from post four in the $27,000 maiden contest at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Hotel Hall and Le Copain in the first, My First Big Kiss in the second and Brag, Silber and One Mile Belle in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/95. Money: (previous day/meet total): $9.80/$544. Total money bet: $614.