Among the many eight starters in Saturday’s Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Offered by Oak Tree Racing Affiliation are a few Japanese-based fillies who figured to be operating at Saratoga. So why are they entered within the Hirsch at Del Mar? Yeah, there’s a $400,000 purse. However past that, Del Mar would be the host web site for the Breeders’ Cup in November, and with the Hirsch being a “Win and You’re In” stakes that gives a free spot within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Saturday’s race takes on sufficient attraction to set off cross-country flights.
1. Flying Connection (20-1 morning-line odds): Returns to coach Todd Fincher’s barn after an unsuccessful journey East the place she completed fifth within the Mattress o’ Roses Stakes at Belmont on the Large A. Throw that race out and she or he has not been worse than third in six straight begins. Again residence and breaking from the rail, she definitely appears able to figuring within the exotics on this discipline.
JOCKEY: Joe Talamo; TRAINER: Todd Fincher
2. Adare Manor (3-5): Positively the one to beat as she chases a second straight Hirsch victory. She’s in nice kind proper now, successful her final two begins by a mixed margin of practically 10 lengths, and may lead all through in a discipline quick on speedsters.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
3. Scylla (6-1): Will get an acid take a look at in her Grade 1 debut. Has taken some good steps ahead for Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott with three straight wins at Churchill Downs, two of them in graded stakes. Figures to be a serious participant.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Invoice Mott
4. Espresso in Mattress (15-1): Was second to Adare Manor final day out, shedding by 4 ¼ lengths. Appears aggressive on this discipline however might want to take a giant step ahead to show the tables on Adare Manor.
JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Richard Mandella
5. Desert Daybreak (10-1): Broke from publish 5 in final yr’s Hirsch and completed second by a size to Adare Manor. In six begins since then, her solely win got here in January within the Grade 3 La Canada Stakes. Can determine within the exotics however will want a career-best attempt to land within the winner’s circle.
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu TRAINER: Phil D’Amato
6. Sugar Fish (12-1): A 3-year-old going through older horses, she turned in an enormous win over sophomore fillies when she took the Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita Park by practically 10 lengths. An encore of that effort will make her a serious menace, however the soar in school and the probability of a bounce diminish her attraction.
JOCKEY: Tyler Baze; TRAINER: Jeff Mullins
7. Olivia Twist (30-1): Comes off a distant fourth in a dash stakes and positioned in solely one in all 5 graded stakes begins – and that was in a Grade 3 take a look at greater than a yr in the past. Appears overmatched.
JOCKEY: Reylu Gutierrez; TRAINER: Todd Fincher
8. Fairly Mischievous (8-1): The champion 3-year-old filly of 2023 has been going through the East’s finest older females and completed third in each begins this yr. Needs to be sitting on a giant effort in her third begin of the yr and shapes up as a essential menace on this discipline.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
THE PICK: Adare Manor
LIVE LONGSHOT: Espresso in Mattress
SUPERFECTA: 2-8-3-4
