WELL ARMED (Tiznow), last seen romping by a record 14 lengths in the March 28
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), returns to action in Sunday’s $250,000
San
Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar. The Eoin Harty charge has been assigned the top
weight of 123 pounds in the 1 1/16-mile affair, which he won last year in a
track-record 1:41 2/5 on the Polytrack.
Just as in 2008, Well Armed is using the San Diego as his prep for the
September 6 Pacific Classic (G1). The bay gelding fell a neck shy of landing the
$1 million prize last summer, and if his Dubai venture is any indication, he is
at the peak of his powers this campaign as a six-year-old. Regular rider Aaron
Gryder will have the task of rationing out his speed.
Well Armed will spot his eight rivals between seven and 11 pounds. Four are
coming off the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) — defending Gold Cup champion MAST TRACK
(Mizzen Mast), who did best of the quartet in fourth; Californian S. (G2) winner
INFORMED (Tiznow), who checked in sixth; San Antonio H. (G2) hero MAGNUM (Arg)
(El Compinche), who wound up seventh; and five-time New Mexico stakes victor
SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song), who crossed the wire 11th in a field of 13.
Two other San Diego entrants are venturing outside their own division.
Three-year-old KELLY LEAK (Runaway Groom) has been sidelined just about as long
as Well Armed. The Mike Machowsky pupil has not raced since March 29, when he
drove to an authoritative victory in the Sunland Derby. That soon turned out to
be a key race, with fourth-place finisher Mine That Bird (Birdstone) going on to
shock the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Sunland runner-up Mythical Power (Congaree)
crushing the field in the Lone Star Derby (G3) next time out. Kelly Leak has
been firing bullets in advance of his debut versus older horses, and Mike Smith
will be back aboard the confirmed closer.
The filly ALLICANSAYIS WOW (Street Cry [Ire]) has been chasing undefeated
champion Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]), finishing third in the Milady H. (G2) and
fifth in the Vanity H. (G1). Patrick Biancone gave her class relief last time
out in a turf allowance, and the bay responded with a gritty score.
Rounding out the field are a pair of recent allowance winners who will be
making their stakes bow, the Carla Gaines-trained TEMPLE CITY (Dynaformer) and
SANGAREE (Awesome Again), a half-brother to $3.2 million earner Congaree (Arazi)
from the Bob Baffert barn.