The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)ANTESPEND HEADS FIELD OF EIGHT FILLIES FOR TODAY'S DEL MAR OAKS
Jack Kent Cooke's Antespend, winner of eight of 12 races with purse earnings of $673,179, heads a field of eight 3-year-old fillies for today's Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. The winner's share of the purse is $150,000.
Expected to draw much support from the crowd are Juddmonte Farms' True Flare and Prestonwood Farm and Seelbinder's Gastronomical, who finished 1-2, respectively, in Del Mar's Grade II San Clemente Handicap July 27.
NINE SET FOR FIRST BEST PAL STAKES, FORMERLY THE BALBOA STAKES
Nine 2-year-olds were entered this morning for Wednesday's inaugural running of the Grade III Best Pal Stakes, formerly the Balboa Stakes. The race was renamed this year to honor Golden Eagle Farm's Best Pal, who is California's all- time money-winner and fourth on the national list. The 8-year-old gelding, whose first graded stakes victory came in the Balboa in 1990, was retired to Golden Eagle Farm in March, following his only race of the year, the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita. He came back to lead the parade to the post for this year's Pacific Classic, won by Dare and Go in an upset of Cigar, who was seeking a modern- day record of 17 straight victories. Best Pal won the first Pacific Classic in 1991.
If all nine go to the post in the 6 1/2-furlong Best Pal, the purse will be $106,150, with $66,150 going to the winner.
Heading the field will be Heinz Steinman's undefeated Swiss Yodeler, who won the Grade II Hollywood Juvenile Championship July 21 for his fourth straight victory, and Jack Finley's Red, who won Del Mar's Graduation Stakes July 31 after finishing a head behind Swiss Yodeler in the Hollywood Juvenile. They'll carry high weight of 121 pounds, and Swiss Yodeler gets the saddle services of Alex Solis with Red to be ridden by Rene Douglas.
Challenging this pair are Donald Dizney's Anet, with David Flores; Michael Tabor's Deeds Not Words, Chris McCarron; Bergner, Mullens and The Hat Ranch's Fearless Pirate, Patrick Valenzuela; Pribble and Thomas' Golden Bronze, G.F. Almeida; Dutton and Harrington's Renteria, Eddie Delahoussaye; Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Moss' Tru Story, Corey Nakatani; and Robert and Beverly Lewis' Wrightwood, Chris Antley.
TOP THREE PAT O'BRIEN FINISHERS COME OUT OF RACE IN FINE SHAPE
A cheery David Hofmans said this morning that his Pat O'Brien Handicap winner Alphabet Soup came out of Saturday's race in good order. "He came out really good," Hofmans said. "He didn't get all that tired. He recovered real quickly, and acted like he was pretty fit." Hofmans said the next start for Alphabet Soup, who won the Pat O'Brien by 3 1/2 lengths, will be in the Grade II, $200,000-added Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap at a mile on September 8, which he won last year. Hofmans also harbors thoughts of a date in the $1-million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 26.
"I thought we ran him back too soon," trainer Jenine Sahadi said of Lit de Justice, who finished third as the 4-5 favorite. While he made up a lot of ground coming down the stretch, Lit de Justice didn't seem to have the powerful swooping move that he normally has. He finished a nose shy of runner-up Boundless Moment, who was making his debut in graded stakes company.
"He's fine," Sahadi said this morning. "We'll just regroup and head for Canada." His next start will be in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Woodbine.
Boundless Moment was reported to have come out of the race well at trainer Kathy Walsh's barn.
LONGTIME GRASS RUNNER SAVINIO WILL STAY ON DIRT FOR NEXT RACE
Savinio, who had run all but three of his 31 previous races on the turf, surprised a lot of folks at Del Mar when he won the Grade III San Diego Handicap July 27 on the main track.
With that under his belt, he'll try the dirt again, trainer Walter Greenman said. Greenman plans to send the 6-year-old son of The Minstrel into the Grade II, $200,000-added Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap at a mile on September 8. In that race, it's likely he'll be looking at Alphabet Soup, the impressive winner of Saturday's Pat O'Brien Handicap and winner of last year's Del Mar B.C. Handicap.
TREVOR DENMAN MOVES FROM BROADCAST BOOTH TO CYBERSPACE
Race announcer Trevor Denman swings from being the "Voice of Del Mar" to the "Flying Fingers of Del Mar" Thursday as he will be the guest in a special hosted chat room on Del Mar's internet site. Denman will be online from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to answer questions and give comments on the world of racing.
SHORE LINES: Agent Vince DeGregory and his rider of more than a year, G.F. Almeida, have parted company. DeGregory retains the book for jockey Victor Espinoza .... Racing fans are preparing for another in the series of "5-Star Mondays" at Del Mar. With $5 and a coupon from any Carl's Jr.'s restaurant in San Diego County, a fan gets grandstand admission, an official program, a reserved seat, a hot dog and a small soft drink or beer - a $12.50 value.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)