With main Grade 1 races developing at Del Mar on this 12 months’s calendar such because the FanDuel Racing Pacific Basic Stakes and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic, Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap will function a key prep race on the Del Mar major monitor and an vital probability for six high-quality older horses to determine themselves as critical contenders on this filth male division.
1. Specific Practice: He’s making a comeback now as a 7-year-old after taking all the 2023 12 months off. Obtained a dash prep race below his belt final time when third behind the likes of The Chosen Vron and Pleased Jack within the Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita, and he now could be prepared for this stretch out to a way more applicable 1 1/16-mile distance. A five-time graded stakes winner with a Grade 1 victory to his credit score, Specific Practice was the winner of this race in 2021 as one in all his three lifetime wins at Del Mar. He’s a particular menace if able to roll within the second begin of his comeback. Along with successful this race in 2021, coach John Shirreffs additionally received the San Diego Handicap again in 2006 with Giacomo when teaming up with jockey Mike Smith.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: John Shirreffs
2. Katonah: He’s getting back from a 12 months layoff and going through a troublesome task below these circumstances within the San Diego Handicap. Katonah was final seen on the racetrack posting back-to-back wins versus lesser firm in the summertime of 2023. He finally might show to have the flexibility at this sort of a category degree, nevertheless it’s extremely questionable on this Grade 2 spot with no prep race in his return from the sidelines. Coach Doug O’Neill has began loads of horses on this race however he has received it solely as soon as with Knowledgeable in 2009.
JOCKEY: Tiago J. Pereira; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill
3. Dr. Venkman: He started his profession final summer time with two convincing wins right here at Del Mar. Primarily based on that, he earned a visit to Keeneland for his third profession race final fall and simply missed by a head in a $235,000 stakes race at seven furlongs. Following an prolonged layoff, Dr. Venkman returned June 1 with a runner-up end within the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes behind Pleased Jack. All profession begins to date have been at 6 ½ furlongs or seven furlongs, so even in the event you consider he can deal with the category check towards this area, he nonetheless has to show he is identical high quality racehorse at this distance. The San Diego handicap can be his first route race and first try round two turns.
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Mark Glatt
4. Arabian Knight: That is one other entrant on this area who should overcome a big layoff and is an X-factor primarily based on the day off between races. His near-term aim undoubtedly is the $1 million Pacific Basic, not this race. Arabian Knight is already a Grade 1 winner on this racetrack with a victory in final 12 months’s Pacific Basic and he completed a really respectable fourth within the 2023 Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic in his most up-to-date race, so he ought to have the ability to beat this area by way of each class and pace figures. The one query is whether or not or not Arabian Knight can provide an “A” effort within the San Diego Handicap or whether it is merely a prep race the place he’s pointing for subsequent time and subsequently susceptible Saturday. It’s exhausting to not like his probabilities, however he’s not a certain factor and his odds can be low. Coach Bob Baffert wins at a excessive share at each degree each summer time at Del Mar and has received this race on two prior events with Most Safety in 2020 and with Fed Biz in 2014. Jockey Juan Hernandez received this race in 2021 aboard Specific Practice.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
5. Newgrange: Unseen in 4 ½ months since flopping within the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap introduced by Yaamava’ Resort & On line casino, a race that additionally was this horse’s low level in 2023. Apart from these two Large ’Cap efforts, nonetheless, Newgrange has been a constant and dependable in-the-money finisher in robust spots like this one, together with consecutive wins within the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato
6. Subsanador: Quietly aggressive on the high ranges of competitors since arriving in Southern California in December after starting his profession in his native Argentina. Subsanador was soundly crushed by Newgrange within the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes in his U.S. debut however then confirmed his potential when simply lacking by a head when second within the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. Sadly, he couldn’t preserve that optimistic momentum when fourth most lately within the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup. His greatest probability appears to be when he’s in a position to race on or near the tempo in an try to make use of his pace to his benefit, however that situation seems unlikely right here as a result of he doesn’t seem quick sufficient to race with Arabian Knight on the early tempo and nonetheless have one thing left for the stretch run. Coach Richard Mandella has received this race twice, first with Catch a Flight in 2015 after which with Royal Ship in 2022.
JOCKEY: Hector Isaac Berrios; TRAINER: Richard Mandella
THE PICK: Arabian Knight
LIVE LONGSHOT: Specific Practice
SUPERFECTA: 4-1-5-3
