Del Mar Derby J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of nine will travel nine furlongs over the Del Mar turf
in Saturday’s $350,000 Del Mar Derby (G2). We’ll tab MIDNIGHT MISCHIEF (Medaglia
d’Oro) for the win at a square price. Trained by Roger Attfield, the improving
dark bay showed little in his dirt debut at Gulfstream Park this winter but
turned into a new animal at Woodbine this spring/summer, compiling two
impressive victories on Polytrack. He made a smooth transition to turf last
time, running a creditable fifth in the Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga, and
the Kentucky-bred has the right running style for this event. Attfield wouldn’t
ship him to Del Mar for no reason, and we expect to see Midnight Mischief run
big under Mike Smith.

Oceanside S. victor AFLEET EAGLE (Northern Afleet) did something not many
horses have done this summer at Del Mar, win on the front end in a turf route.
The rapidly improved former claimer has wired three fields in succession since
being stretched out to two turns, and if he gets loose once again, he might be
very tough in the latter stages under Corey Nakatani.

Impressive La Jolla star METEORE (Pulpit) put in a huge late run to earn his
first graded win last out, and the sophomore colt looks like a major player once
again. The chestnut has improved in a big way in recent races and just needs a
little pace help to put forth another top showing under Rafael Bejarano.

BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) has been superb in 209 for Jeff
Mullins, winning three graded stakes and four black-type events overall in five
races. The gelded bay, who bagged the Virginia Derby (G2) and Colonial Turf Cup
S. (G2) in his last pair, was freshened in advance of this and has since posted
a serious of bullet works. The likely favorite is another top threat with Tyler
Baze.

RENDEZVOUS (Victory Gallop) has never missed the board in four career turf
tries for Jerry Hollendorfer and exits a sharp runner-up showing in the La Jolla
H. (G2). The talented chestnut has yet to break through with a stakes tally but
has placed in a trio of them, and it seems inevitable that the Kentucky-bred
will break through with a signature win. Joel Rosario will break from the rail
atop the win threat. Grade 2 star PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) was a solid fourth in
the Haskell Invitationa S. (G1) last out and will make his turf debut for Gary
Stute. The talented three-year-old is very capable of running big races, as his
past performances line suggests, but this looks like a tough assignment in his
initial grass test. The presence of Garrett Gomez shouldn’t hurt his chances.

Secretariat S. (G1) fourth OIL MAN (Ire) (Pyrus) took the Cinema H. (G3)
three back for John Sadler, but we don’t consider the sophomore a big threat in
this deep field. The late runner is stuck in a field full of them, many of which
seem faster late than he is. GRETSKY (Toccet) rallied late for third in the La
Jolla, but he’ll need a fair deal of improvement to reach the top three on this
day. ACCLAMATION (Unusual Heat) is in a tough spot for Donald Warren, as the
California-bred is stepping up in class and is drawn widest. We’ll pass.