A field of 12 will go postward on Sunday in the $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2) at 1
3/8 miles on the green. RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) captured the Jim Murray
Memorial H. (G3) two back and will try to improve upon his nice dead-heat second
in the Sunset Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last out. He’s two-for-two over Del Mar’s
turf, with those events coming in 2003 optional claimers, and will have to tote
117 pounds here. ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) has done well since coming
to the United States and most recently posted his first stakes victory when
taking the Sunset over Runaway Dancer. He’ll keep Victor Espinoza in the saddle
for Sunday’s rematch.
Other contenders in the Del Mar H. include Grade 1 winner CONTINUOUSLY
(Diesis [GB]), third in the 2003 running of this race, and Grade 2-placed EXTERIOR
(Distant View), a close fifth in the United Nations (G1) two back.
Runaway Dancer will lead the post parade under jockey Garrett Gomez. He’ll be
followed by Continuously, Jon Court, 114; KILKEA CASTLE (Pleasant Colony), David
Flores, 113; LEPRECHAUN KID (Alphabet Soup), Tyler Baze, 113; Always First, 115;
Exterior, Patrick Valenzuela, 116; CONTINENTAL RED (Flying Continental), Rene
Douglas, 115; OUTTA HERE (Dehere), Kerwin John, 113; LAURA’S LUCKY BOY
(Theatrical [Ire]), Corey Nakatani, 118; SARAFAN (Lear Fan), Alex Solis, 118;
HABANEROS (Tabasco Cat), David Flores, 113; and NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Regal
Classic), Mike Smith, 111.