The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECT SPELLING FOR DR. KERLAN ---IT IS NOT KERLAND!!!!!
FIVE GRADED-STAKES RUNNERS CLASH IN DEL MAR BREEDERS' CUP 'CAP
Quality rather than quantity is the key to today's 10th running of the Grade II Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap as five graded-stakes performers will try to capture the one-mile race on Del Mar's main track. If all five go to the post, the purse will be worth $201,150, with the winner getting $121,150.
Heading the field will be Ridder Thoroughbred Stable's Alphabet Soup and Golden Eagle Farm's Dramatic Gold, both trained by David Hofmans.
The race will be the fourth on the day's 10-race card, and there will be no show wagering.
UNBEATEN SWISS YODELER LEADS FIELD OF SEVEN IN DEL MAR FUTURITY
Swiss Yodeler, victorious in his five lifetime starts, will face his toughest test yet as he leads a field of seven 2-year-olds to the post for the Grade II, $250,000- guaranteed Del Mar Futurity on Wednesday, the closing day of the seaside course's 43-day race meet. The winner's share of the purse is $150,000.
It will be the eighth race on the 10-race, closing-day card.
Swiss Yodeler, owned by Heinz Steinmann and trained by Mike Harrington, is a four-time stakes winner, including the Grade II Hollywood Juvenile Championship on July 21 and Del Mar's Grade III Best Pal Stakes on August 21.
Coming into the race to challenge the son of Eastern Echo again are Pribble and Thomas' Golden Bronze, who was runner-up in the Best Pal, and Jack L. Finley's fourth-place Best Pal finisher Red, who was runner-up to Swiss Yodeler in the Hollywood Juvenile. Red put in a sharp :34 2/5 3-furlong work this morning.
Taking their first shot at the unbeaten colt are Mike Pegram's Zippersup; Robert and Beverly Lewis' Silver Charm; Allen, Cox, Sullivan and Partners' General Royal; and the Lewises and Michael Tabor's Gold Tribute.
All except Gold Tribute have won at least one race. The Mr. Prospector colt, who is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, will run as part of an entry with Silver Charm, trained by Bob Baffert.
Two of the contenders, Gold Tribute and General Royal, were not nominated to the race originally and will be supplemented for a fee of $10,000 each.
Swiss Yodeler will carry top weight of 121 pounds, including regular rider Alex Solis, and will spot his rivals from two to eight pounds, the lightweight being the maiden Gold Tribute.
Here's the way they'll line up from the rail, with weights and riders: General Royal, 115, Chris McCarron; Zippersup, 115, Eddie Delahoussaye; Gold Tribute, 113, Gary Stevens; Red, 119, Rene Douglas; Golden Bronze, 115, G.F. Almeida; Swiss Yodeler; and Silver Charm, 115, David Flores.
TRAINER MIKE HARRINGTON IS A MAN OF MANY EQUINE TALENTS
Mike Harrington, trainer of undefeated Swiss Yodeler, may be one of the best- kept secrets among Thoroughbred conditioners. He's a self-described "jack of all trades, master of none," but his training pedigree belies that attempt at modesty.Harrington is a fourth-generation horseman who worked for many years as a veterinarian as well as serving as assistant to his trainer-wife, Patty. Now he is the trainer of record and she is his assistant. Do they ever clash on training philosophies? "Not really," Harrington said. "I think it works very well, because I bounce a lot of stuff off her. She's more conservative than I am, and I get a lot of input from her."
Harrington, 55, was born and reared in the central Oregon area around Bend. He grew up on his family's cattle ranch, where his father also trained quarter horses. Harrington's grandfather and great-grandfather conditioned Throughbreds. As one would expect, he grew up on a horse.
In fact, he said, his father always told him he broke his first horse when he was 6 years old. "We were going on a trail ride for several days, and they put me on a gentle colt that hadn't been broken yet," Harrington recalled. "We were gone for about a week, and by the time we got home, he was pretty well broken."
Harrington trained horses while in high school and college, but when he finished veterinary school, he became a practicing veterinarian for several years. In 1985, Harrington and his wife began coming to Southern California in the winter to race, with her as trainer and him as assistant. In 1993, Harrington said, he became the main trainer and she has worked as his assistant since.
The trainer believes Swiss Yodeler is the best runner he's ever had. He says the son of Eastern Echo is ready to roll in Wednesday's Del Mar Futurity, where he will try to run his unbeaten string to six, and stay on course toward the Grade I, $1- million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Woodbine racetrack in Toronto, Ont., Canada on October 26.
PALOMAR WINNER YEARLY TOUR IN GREAT SHAPE, SAYS HOFMANS
Trainer David Hofmans said Yearly Tour came out of her victory in Saturday's Grade II, $131,350 Palomar Handicap "in really good shape."
He added: "She's acting good. She got a little tired afterwards. It's tough to do what she did on this turf course - go wire to wire. But she's fine this morning; ate last night. Looks bright-eyed this morning."
VALENZUELA MOVES INTO TIE WITH NAKATANI IN LEADING-RIDER RACE
One victory on Saturday moved Patrick Valenzuela into a tie with suspended Corey Nakatani in the race for leading rider at the Del Mar meeting.
Valenzuela and Nakatani have 40 wins, to lead Alex Solis, whose one win Saturday sent him to 39. Chris McCarron, who won the 1995 riding title over Nakatani by capturing the last race of the meeting to break a tie and win with 48 victories, scored one win Saturday, also, to total 35 wins.
Here's the way the race shapes up today, with mounts and morning-line odds:
Patrick Valenzuela (40) - (7 mounts): 2nd race, Hot Baby, 5-1; 3rd, Proud Danzig, 4-1; 6th, Salivorix, 9-2; 7th, Fleet Lady, 6-1; 8th, Interim, 4-1; 9th, Summertime Val, 20-1; 10th, Cool Freddie, 8-1.
Alex Solis (39) - (9 mounts) 1st race, Point Habitat, 5-2; 2nd, Montecito, 5-2; 3rd, Sharp Gift, 8-1; 4th, Cezind, 6-1; 5th, Western Scout, 6-1; 6th, Hunt for Missouri, 5-1; 7th, Teach Only Love, 5-2; 9th, Colonial Debut, 5-1; 10th, Jirhan, 6-1.
Chris McCarron (35) - (8 mounts) 2nd race, Wealthy, 4-5; 3rd, Voidwearprohibited, 2-1; 4th, Savinio, 3-1; 6th, If I Only Knew, 5-2; 7th, Slew Mamoon, 12-1; 8th, Admise, 5-2; 9th, Sixy Saint, 4-1; 10th Sovereign's Crown, 9-2.
MIKE MITCHELL CONTINUES RACE TOWARD TRAINER CHAMPIONSHIP
Leading trainers Mike Mitchell and Bob Baffert each scored one victory on Saturday to keep Mitchell two ahead of the challenging Baffert in the race for the training title at Del Mar. Mitchell has 16 victories in his pursuit of his sixth training title at the seaside course, and Baffert has 14.Mitchell has two horses entered on Sunday's card and Baffert has one.
Third place in the standings is shared by Jenine Sahadi, Ron McAnally and Jack Carava, each with 11 wins.
WORLD-FAMED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON DR. ROBERT KERLAN DIES
One of the world's foremost orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Robert Kerlan, died Saturday following a lengthy illness. He died in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA.Kerlan was long been associated with athletes and their injuries, and was well-known for his work in that specialty.
Kerlan also was an owner and breeder of Thoroughbred horses, and was a frequent visitor to Del Mar.
SHORE LINES: Ray York, winner Saturday of his second straight Rocking Chair Derby, didn't hesitate for a moment after the race when asked if he might return for a shot at a three-peat next year. "You bet I'll be here," said the effusive York, who won the 1954 Kentucky Derby aboard Determine .... The final version of "5-Star Mondays" will be observed tomorrow at Del Mar. The special promotion between the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the San Diego County Carl's Jr. restaurants offers grandstand admission, an official program, a reserved seat, a hot dog and a small soft drink or beer - a $12.50 value - for $5 with a coupon from any Carl's Jr. in San Diego County .... Dennis Carr rode Petit Poucet to victory for trainer Ben Cecil in Saturday's $100,000-added San Francisco Handicap at Bay Meadows.
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