With main Grade 1 races developing at Del Mar on this 12 months’s calendar such because the FanDuel Racing Pacific Traditional Stakes and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional, Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap will function a key prep race on the Del Mar most important monitor and an essential probability for six high-quality older horses to determine themselves as severe contenders on this filth male division.
1. Categorical Prepare: He’s making a comeback now as a 7-year-old after taking the complete 2023 12 months off. Acquired a dash prep race below his belt final time when third behind the likes of The Chosen Vron and Completely satisfied Jack within the Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita, and he now’s prepared for this stretch out to a way more acceptable 1 1/16-mile distance. A five-time graded stakes winner with a Grade 1 victory to his credit score, Categorical Prepare 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 profitable 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 could show to have the flexibility at this type of a category degree, however 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. Based mostly 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 Completely satisfied Jack. All profession begins up to now have been at 6 ½ furlongs or seven furlongs, so even in the event you consider he can deal with the category take a look at towards this subject, he nonetheless has to show he is similar high quality racehorse at this distance. The San Diego handicap shall 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 subject who should overcome a big layoff and is an X-factor based mostly on the day without work between races. His near-term aim undoubtedly is the $1 million Pacific Traditional, not this race. Arabian Knight is already a Grade 1 winner on this racetrack with a victory in final 12 months’s Pacific Traditional and he completed a really respectable fourth within the 2023 Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional in his most up-to-date race, so he ought to be capable to beat this subject when it comes to each class and pace figures. The one query is whether or not or not Arabian Knight may give 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 weak Saturday. It’s laborious to not like his probabilities, however he’s not a positive factor and his odds shall be low. Coach Bob Baffert wins at a excessive proportion 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 Categorical Prepare.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
5. Newgrange: Unseen in 4 ½ months since flopping within the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap offered by Yaamava’ Resort & On line casino, a race that additionally was this horse’s low level in 2023. Aside from these two Massive ’Cap efforts, nevertheless, Newgrange has been a constant and dependable in-the-money finisher in powerful 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 overwhelmed 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 just 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 appears to be like 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: Categorical Prepare
SUPERFECTA: 4-1-5-3
