The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)SEVEN SPEEDSTERS TO TAKE ON LIT DE JUSTICE IN PAT O'BRIEN HANDICAP
Headed by the explosive Lit de Justice, eight sprinters are expected to go to the post in today's Grade III Pat O'Brien Handicap at 7 furlongs on Del Mar's main track.
If the eight start, the purse will be $105,450, and the winner's share will be $65,450. Concept Win and Tres Paraiso have scratched out of what originally was a 10-horse field. For any further scratches, subtract $600 from each figure.
LARRY THE LEGEND TACKLES BRUBAKER FIELD ON HIS COMEBACK TRAIL
Larry the Legend, who was the rags-to-riches story among 1995 3-year-olds before an injury sidelined him after he won the Santa Anita Derby, continues his journey along the comeback trail Sunday as he leads a field of six in the $70,000 Harry "Bud" Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar.
The Brubaker is a supporting stakes race to the feature of the day, the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.
"Larry," trained by Craig Lewis, finished a strong second to Isitingood in an allowance event July 27 in his first race in a year and a half. The 4-year-old son of Local Talent will carry high weight of 119 pounds in Sunday's race, and will have his regular rider, Kent Desormeaux, in the irons.
Set to challenge Larry the Legend will be The Thoroughbred Corp. entry of Cezind and Powerful Punch, with Alex Solis and Corey Nakatani, respectively; Myceenote, with Martin Pedroza; Chequor, with Eddie Delahoussaye; and Misnomer, with Chris McCarron.
NAKATANI, SAHADI LEAD JOCKEYS, TRAINERS AT THE HALFWAY POINT
After 21 days of Del Mar's 43-day meeting, jockey Corey Nakatani and trainer Jenine Sahadi lead the standings in their respective categories.
Nakatani has 29 wins from 110 mounts for a 26 percent win statistic. He also has 14 seconds and 13 thirds, giving him an in-the-money figure of 51 percent.
Chris McCarron and Patrick Valenzuela share the second spot with 20 victories each. McCarron's total comes from 80 starts, giving him a winning percentage of 25. His in-the-money figure of 54 percent tops the list. Valenzuela's wins come from 105 chances.
A close third is Alex Solis with 18, followed by Eddie Delahoussaye's 14 and Kent Desormeaux's 12 to round out the top flight.
In the trainer's race, Sahadi holds a slim lead over the field with nine victories. Her wins come from 24 starts for 33 percent winners. Six seconds and two thirds put her in-the-money figure at 67 percent.
Sitting second, with eight each, are five-time leading trainer Mike Mitchell and Bob Baffert. Walter Greenman and Jack Carava each have seven wins to round out the top five.
LA JOLLA WINNER TRAINING TOWARD DEL MAR DERBY ON LABOR DAY
Trainer Mike Orman reported Ambivalent, the winner of August 11's Grade III La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds, is doing well and is still being pointed toward the Grade II, $300,000 Del Mar Derby on Labor Day, September 2. The race will be run at 1 1/8 miles on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
Orman hasn't scheduled Ambivalent's next workout yet, and isn't sure whether he'll work him on the grass or on the main track, although he's leaning toward working him on the dirt. "The schedule for turf works doesn't fit him too well," Orman said. "His best races seem to be when his work comes five or six days out from the race. But he doesn't need much work right now; he's fit. The main thing now is to keep him happy."
Ambivalent is the only double stakes winner at the meet. He also captured the second division of the opening day Oceanside Stakes.
TRAINER HESS SAYS TABLED WITH SAROS IS "DEFINITE" FOR OSUNITAS
Trainer Bob Hess says Tabled With Saros is a definite starter and he will have jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. put her "on the Bill Dailey" when the gates open for Saturday's $100,000-added Osunitas Handicap. That means "go to the front and improve your position," a philosophy credited to old-time trainer Bill Dailey.
"You can't get in her way," Hess said. "You just have to let her run. That's her racing style and you don't want to change it."
ELLIS WEIGHS RACES FOR TOP FILLIES EXOTIC WOOD AND TWICE THE VICE
Ron Ellis, who trains two of the West's best fillies, is still undecided about which races are next for Exotic Wood and Twice the Vice.
He indicated this morning that his first choice would have Exotic Wood going in the Grade II, $300,000 Chula Vista Handicap Sunday, September 1, and Twice the Vice in the Grade II, $125,000-added Palomar Handicap on Saturday, September 7.
The decision will be determined by just how well Exotic Wood continues to progress. "She was tired after her last race [the Grade I Go for Wand Handicap at Saratoga July 28]," Ellis said. "I gave her about 10 days off and now she's training very well. If it doesn't seem she's quite ready for the Chula Vista, we'll run Twice the Vice there."
SHORE LINES: Former trainer John Russell, who's on the mend from a serious illness, was a visitor on Del Mar's backstretch this morning. Looking good, Russell said, "I'm feeling much better, and getting stronger every day." He was enjoying a lenghty chat with trainer Robert Frankel and greetings from various friends and colleagues .... Tony Perez, who serves as valet for jockeys Alex Solis and Laffit Pincay, Jr., suffered two broken ankles and a swollen jaw as a result of a training accident while he was galloping a horse in the morning earlier this week. He visited the jockeys' room Friday, said Clerk of Scales Charlie McCaul, wearing a cast on each ankle. It hasn't been determined how long he'll be out.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)