DREAMCASTER (Bernardini), a smashing debut winner on August 7 at Del Mar,
will make her first stakes attempt in Saturday’s $250,000
Del
Mar Debutante S. (G1) at seven furlongs. The two-year-old filly will start from the far outside
post in the 10-horse field with a returning Martin Garcia.
Trained by Bob Baffert, who will be seeking his seventh Debutante victory
following the success of Point Ashley (2006), Habibti (2001), Chilukki (1999),
Excellent Meeting (1998), Vivid Angel (1997) and Batroyale (1995), Dreamcaster
was hammered down to 6-5 favoritism in her career bow. She sprinted to the fore
when the gates opened and led wire to wire in the six-furlong event, scoring
comfortably by a 2 1/4-length margin. The bay miss has recorded an encouraging
series of workouts in the interim, including a six-furlong drill in 1:11 2/5
from the gate last Sunday, and the $250,000 weanling purchase figures to be
forwardly-placed once again.
KILLER GRACES (Congaree) faltered when trying the Polytrack in the August 5
Sorrento S. (G3), recording a non-threatening sixth, but the multiple
stakes-winning filly got off to a poor start when bobbling at the break and is
eligible to show more for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer on Saturday.
The chestnut filly was bet down to even-money favoritism off consecutive wins in
the Cinderella S. and Landaluce S. at Hollywood Park, and she appears to have
picked up her training since the Sorrento, recording four quick moves in the
29-day interim. Joe Talamo, who is locked in a fierce battle with Joel Rosario
for leading rider, will retain the assignment and Killer Graces will be stalking
the pace from her outside post (8).
SELF PRESERVATION (Lion Heart), one of two $10,000 supplemental entries along
with EVELYN’S DANCER (Songandaprayer), will make her first start stateside with
new trainer Ben Cecil. The Kentucky-bred chestnut was privately purchased
following her impressive five-length maiden win on June 23 in Tipperary,
Ireland, and shows a nice trio of workouts locally. Pat Valenzuela, who picked
up the mount on Pacific Classic (G1) winner Acclamation (Unusual Heat), will
take over the reins on Self Preservation, who rates as a dangerous contender if
she takes to the Polytrack on Saturday.
WEEMISSFRANKIE (Sunriver) recorded a well-regarded debut win over maiden
special weight rivals on July 20 and merits respect in her second career start
for conditioner Peter Eurton. Rafael Bejrano rides. WOEBEGON (Saint Anddan), who
finished fourth as the favorite in the Landaluce S. last out, is another logical
contender if ready to go off the 49-day layoff. The Peter Miller pupil will keep
Martin Pedroza in the irons.
Northern California invader COUP DE COEUR (Exchange Rate) registered a
whopping 105 BRIS Speed rating for her 6 1/2-length maiden win at Santa Rosa
last out and the Jeff Bonde trainee will pick up the services of Rosario.
Unbeaten Evelyn’s Dancer, who captured a $25,000 maiden claimer at Emerald Downs
before rolling to an easy win at Del Mar over starter allowance rivals on July
28, will look to make an impact on the class hike. EMERALD GOLD (War Front) and
SILENT SAGA (Silent Name [Jpn]) both exit commendable maiden tallies on the Polytrack, and the
winless WILD TRUFFLES (Offlee Wild) rounds out
the field.
Two races prior to the Debutante, eight older horses will square off in the
$85,000
Windy Sands H. at a mile. KEVLAR KID (Rock Hard Ten), who was being
considered for the Pacific Classic following his runner-up effort in the July 30
San Diego H. (G2), is the horse to beat, but the Carla Gaines-trained gelding
will face a solid group of rivals that includes WARNING SONG (Successful
Appeal), PREAMBLE (Mr. Greeley) and EL MARTILLO (Tiznow).