With so many sophomores nominated to the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Derby on
Sunday, track officials made the decision to split the 1 1/8-mile turf race into
two divisions. Nonetheless, each division still came up oversubscribed,
resulting in what should be a pair of good betting contests to headline a
four-stakes card.
Twelve, including two also-eligibles, were entered in the
first division,
which will take place as the 6TH race. Rising Legend and Gabriel Charles battled
it out in the second division of the opening-day Oceanside on July 17, separated
by only a head on the wire of that one-mile contest, and will face-off yet again
on Sunday.
Rising Legend got the better of his rival in just his second stateside start.
The John Sadler pupil opened his U.S. campaign with a half-length second in the
Generous last November, and was making his sophomore debut in the Oceanside.
Julien Leparoux was aboard for both starts and retains the mount on the Rock of
Gibraltar chestnut.
Gabriel Charles broke his maiden during Del Mar’s 2012 opening weekend before
going unplaced in his next two against graded company. The bay son of Street
Hero tried turf for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
Preview, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths, and closed out his juvenile season with a
runner-up effort in the Eddie Logan.
Trainer Jeff Mullins didn’t bring Gabriel Charles back until the Oceanside,
where the colt just missed after a game rally under Mike Smith. That Hall of
Fame rider will be holding the reins once again as Gabriel Charles tries to the
turn the tables on Rising Legend.
While many will be watching this budding rivalry, a number of other
sophomores could easily steal the show on Sunday.
Chief Havoc has already won at the graded level, wiring the Swaps on
Independence Day prior to a fourth-placing in the San Diego Handicap 23 days
later. Redwood Kitten tried to lead all the way home in the 10-furlong Virginia
Derby last out, but was just caught in the lane to be fifth on the wire. The
stakes scorer might relish this cut back in distance.
Gervinho got the neck win in the first division of the Oceanside after
finishing second in the Silky Sullivan in his seasonal opener. The Unusual Heat
colt concluded 2012 with a nice fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and
keeps Rafael Bejarano in the irons while making his first start for Jerry Quinn
while regular trainer Carla Gaines is serving a suspension.
Also in with a chance is stakes scorer Procurement, who was fourth by just 2
1/4 lengths in the American Derby and fifth by only 1 1/2 lengths in the
Arlington Classic in his past two.
Three races later in the
second division of the Del Mar Derby, which also has
a field of 12 including two also-eligibles, Den’s Legacy will try to get back on
the winning track for trainer Bob Baffert. The bay son of Medaglia d’Oro
captured the Generous over the turf at Hollywood Park in November, but has been
unable to find the winner’s circle since while competing on synthetic and dirt
mainly.
It was only two back that Den’s Legacy returned to the turf, falling short by
only 2 3/4 lengths when sixth in the second division of the Oceanside. He showed
much more when a half-length second in the La Jolla Handicap last out and will
try to get the best of the winner, Dice Flavor, on Sunday.
Dice Flavor came from the rear of the La Jolla to provide a slight upset at
nearly 9-1. The Paddy Gallagher trainee showed signs of talent when third in the
Swaps and fourth in the Affirmed Handicap over the Cushion Track at Hollywood,
and seemed to enjoy his return to the sod in the La Jolla.
Garrett Gomez has the call on the Scat Daddy chestnut while Corey Nakatani
will pilot Den’s Legacy.
Infinite Magic will try to weave a spell over his rivals off a head upset in
the American Derby on July 13 while fellow Grade 3 winner General Election is
seeking redemption following a seventh-placing in that 1 3/16-mile grass
contest. Other challengers include stakes debuter Ethnic Dancer, who has
captured his last two in easy fashion; Mystic Lake Derby hero Dorsett; and
multiple stakes victor Dry Summer, who was only 1 3/4 lengths back in fourth in
the La Jolla.
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