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Jaime Azcarraga and Celcius, winners of the $40,000 Showpark Summer Classic Grand Prix presented by the California Horsetrader, is pictured with (from left) Case Wilson, Lily Wilson (with trophy), Horsetrader Publisher Warren Wilson, Horsetrader founder Carolyn Read, Blenheim EquiSports Marketing Director Melissa Braunstein and President Robert Ridland.

DEL MAR – The final outdoor grand prix of the season, the $40,000 Showpark Summer Classic Grand Prix, drew 60 entries to the grass at Del Mar Showpark on Aug. 28, and rider Jaime Azcarraga continued to shine.

On the 10-year-old German-bred Celsius, Azcarraga finished ahead of 14 other jump-off rivals.

“I think the 14 clean says something about the quality of competitors coming to this show,” Azcarraga said. “This is a beautiful place to bring the horses and compete.”

German course designer Olaf Peterson, Jr. created a challenging 16-effort track. He said he wanted to suit the diverse range of entries in the large field of rookies and veterans.

“It was a difficult field to set for,” he said. “There were young horses , young riders, and also experienced couples — they all had to be considered.”

Going midway through the line-up of 60 entries, Azcarraga was the ninth team to advance to the jump-off round.

“This course by Olaf was nice – but also difficult, he said. “With 14 in the jump-off, I really had to go for it. I took the five strides to the combination and I think that paid off.”

Just 1.21 seconds behind the winner was Joie Gatlin, who piloted Camaron Hills Quick Dollar to in 35.23. Gatlin also finished ninth on Fred Bauer’s Zico 13. In third was hometown Del Mar resident Josephina Nor-Lantzman on the scopey, grey Chello Z in 35.32.

Seventeen-year-old Lucy Davis qualified two mounts for the second round but was eliminated on her first ride, Nemo 911. The young star from Los Angeles redeemed herself and finished fourth with a double clear ride in 36.32 aboard Old Oak Farm’s Hannah.

Designer Peterson Jr. had a feeling Azcarraga would give his competitors a run for their money and was happy with the winning ride. “The jump-off was difficult because of the turns, but Jaime was the best and his horse was super careful,” he remarked. “This is a newer horse for Jaime. It was nice to see him win.”

More results: Go to website http://bit.ly/009BSP