Midwest shipper BANNED (Kitten’s Joy) continues his swing through the
summer’s major turf stakes for three-year-olds in Sunday’s $250,000
Del Mar
Derby (G2). Best of the Americans when third in the Secretariat S. (G1) at
Arlington Park last out, the Tom Proctor trainee will meet the respective top
four from the final local prep, the La Jolla H. (G2).
Banned has yet to run a bad race all season. After romping by 4 1/2 lengths
in the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs, he captured the Jefferson Cup (G3)
over the same course and 1 1/16-mile trip. Banned didn’t have as much luck,
however, when stepping up to 1 1/4 miles in his subsequent two. He missed by a
neck in the Virginia Derby (G2), and loomed in the stretch of the Secretariat
before giving way. Still, there was no disgrace in his 1 3/4-length defeat at
the hands of Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo [Ire]),
and he figures to prosper at nine furlongs in this spot. Garrett Gomez takes the
return call.
Proctor probably has a good read on the local contingent, for his LIL BIT
O’FUN (Langfuhr) almost plundered the La Jolla. The gelding, who was useful but
rather exposed on his home circuit in the Midwest, is inferior to Banned on
paper. Yet Lil Bit O’Fun fell a neck shy of BURNS (Unusual Heat) in the La
Jolla, implying that Banned might well have this group’s measure.
At the same time, the La Jolla might not be a true bill, for even-money
favorite MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE (War Chant) had an atrocious trip. The Santa Anita
Derby (G1) winner was full of run with nowhere to go in a pocket and nearly
clipped heels. The race was essentially over by the time he saw daylight, making
his fourth-place finish behind Burns, Lil Bit O’Fun and THIRTYFIRSTSTREET (Good
Journey) less than meaningful. The Bob Baffert pupil hopes for smoother sailing
beneath a returning Rafael Bejarano.
Burns is the latest advertisement for trainer Barry Abrams’ knack with the
progeny of Unusual Heat. The California-bred has also clicked with Pat
Valenzuela of late. Two starts ago, Burns was runner-up to the talented Mr.
Commons (Artie Schiller) in the Oceanside S. on opening day.
Finishing third in the Oceanside was another Proctor runner, EXTENSIVE
(Purge). Proctor dropped him in for an $80,000 tag next time, he won, and
Vladimir Cerin was quick to claim him. Extensive picks up the services of Martin
Garcia in his first outing for the new barn. The Julio Canani-trained AKKADIAN (Tiznow)
could do no better than fifth in the Oceanside, but he’s eligible to show more
Sunday. The one-race blinker experiment is over, and he returns to 1 1/8 miles
for the first time since his impressive maiden win.
DREAMY KID (Lemon Drop Kid) could make his presence felt in his grass debut,
if he runs up to his turf-oriented pedigree. A 19-1 surprise winner over Coil
(Point Given) in the Swaps S. (G2), the Neil Drysdale colt disappointed next
time out in the West Virginia Derby (G2), and looks to regroup on the surface
switch. John Shirreffs sends out the improving CLOUD MAN (Thunder Gulch), who
was outdueled by Burns two back but dominated GREAT WARRIOR (Brz) (Leroidesanimaux
[Brz]) in his latest. Great Warrior is cross-entered to Friday’s El Cajon S.
Del Mar will host two additional stakes for distaffers on the undercard.
Grade 2 veteran ST TRINIANS (GB) (Piccolo) gets class relief while shortening up
to a Polytrack mile in the $85,000
Adoration S. Fourth in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) and Vanity H. (G1) in
her last pair, the Mike Mitchell mare has a class edge over the likes of
WASHINGTON BRIDGE (Yankee Gentleman), CHURCH CAMP (Forest Camp), IT TIZ (Tiznow),
JET BLUE GIRL (Gimmeawink) and ELLAFITZ (Tiznow).
SUGARINTHEMORNING (Candy Ride [Arg]) will bid for her third straight win in
the $100,000
Torrey Pines S. for three-year-old fillies. The Ron McAnally trainee has
learned to relax on the way to capturing the Manhattan Beach S. at six furlongs
and the Fleet Treat S. at seven furlongs, and seeks to apply those lessons when
stepping up to a mile. Her rivals include GREAT HOT (Brz) (Orientate), third in
the Sandy Blue H. on turf last out, and LOVE THEWAY YOUARE (Arch), third in the
Hollywood Oaks (G2) two back.