by James Scully
A rallying third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Tres Borrachos is the
probable favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Native Diver Handicap at
Hollywood Park. The six-year-old gelding tops a field of seven entered for the 1
1/8-mile race.
Tres Borrachos returned from a nine-month layoff this summer with new trainer
Marty Jones and snapped a 13-race losing streak in his second start back,
capturing the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 30. That came over the
Polytrack at Del Mar, but son of Ecton Park loves the Cushion Track, recording
his three other career wins at Hollywood. The late runner registered a
career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating in the Dirt Mile and will retain the services
of Joel Rosario.
Runner-up in the Grade 2 Strub and Grade 2 San Fernando earlier this year,
Tweebster probably needed his last race, a second in the November 11 Yo Eleven
Stakes, following a lengthy layoff. The four-year-old gray has never turned in a
bad race over the Cushion Track (4-2-2-0) and is eligible to keep moving forward
for trainer Bob Baffert, who is winning at a torrid 38 percent clip this meet
(11 for 29). Regular rider Rafael Bejarano will be up.
Grade 2 winner Eldaafer will make his West Coast debut under the direction of
new conditioner Brian Koriner. The six-year-old gelding recorded a sixth when
making a title defense in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon last out and will receive a
rider switch to Joe Talamo while cutting back in distance.
Grade 2 runner-up Rescue Squad invades for trainer Shug McGaughey. An
allowance winner at Keeneland most recently, the five-year-old horse has raced
mostly on turf but is two for two over synthetic tracks. Mike Smith has the
assignment. Massone, who has placed in seven stakes including a Grade 1,
has finished second in both starts this season, a pair of optional claiming
events at Del Mar. Martin Garcia picks up the mount.
Recent optional claiming winners Kettle Corn and Summer Movie round out the
Native Diver field.