FORMER Mike de Kock trained Vale Dori, the 1-2 betting choice under jockey Rafael Bejarano, delivered as expected Wednesday with a workmanlike winning performance in the featured $79,290 Tranquility Lake Stakes for older fillies and mares at Del Mar, San Diego.

Vale Dori wins. (Photo credit: Benoit Photo)

The Argentine-bred daughter of Asiatic Boy was well-positioned as a stalking second from the start of the one-mile contest. She took command in the upper stretch, resisted the challenge of a game Makena and drew out late to score by three and one-half lengths.

Vale Dori, owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa Maktoum, stepped the distance on the main track in 1:35.56 and earned a purse of $47,160  with her first success in the United States and  her third win in seven total starts.

The filly was upset as a 1-2 favorite in a similar mile race earlier this month at Del Mar, beaten a neck.  Prior to being imported to the US, she ran twice at Meydan in Dubai and was fourth in the UAE Derby to Lani, a participant in all three Triple Crown races this year.