Del Mar H.

A field of 12, including two also-eligibles, has been entered to go 11-grassy
furlongs on Sunday in the $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2), and RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway
Groom) looks ready to add another graded victory to his resume. The Dan
Hendricks charge captured the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G3) at Hollywood Park
earlier this season, and most recently ran a close dead-heat second in the
Sunset Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). He earned a stellar 107 BRIS Late Pace figure for
his runner-up finish and has been training forwardly over Del Mar’s turf to
prepare for this one. Garrett Gomez stays in the saddle, and Runaway Dancer
could run away with the win here.

ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) steadily moved up from the back during the
Sunset last out to win by three parts of a length at the wire. Trained by Neil
Drysdale, the four-year-old gelding was making his U.S. stakes debut in that 1
1/2-mile test, and added a first black-type credit to his record. The bay earned
a nice 98 BRIS Speed rating for the Sunset win and will keep Victor Espinoza
aboard for Sunday’s run. The pair will be tough to deny nearing the wire.

EXTERIOR (Distant View) also began his U.S. racing career this year, taking
his first start, an allowance, at Santa Anita in early March. Since then, the
Bobby Frankel trainee has been close but never quiet able to get that first
stakes score. He owns a second in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2)
and was third to our top pick in the Jim Murray prior to running a close fifth
in the United Nations (G1) two back. The chestnut colt was only three lengths
back in fourth in the Bowling Green H. (G2) last out, earning a 122 Late Pace
rating as well as a 101 Speed figure. With Patrick Valenzuela in the irons,
Exterior could finally earn his first black-type victory.

SARAFAN (Lear Fan) ran second by only a neck in this event last year, and
followed that up with another close runner-up finish in the Clement L. Hirsch
Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1). He continued in that vein at the beginning
of the year, then threw in a couple of uncharacteristic off-the-board finishes
in graded events. The eight-year-old gelding actually crossed under the line
first in the Escondido H. last out, but was disqualified to second. The
uncoupled Drysdale charge has the ability to take this one if he returns to last
season’s form. Alex Solis has the call.

LAURA’S LUCKY BOY (Theatrical [Ire]) was transferred to the barn of Richard
Mandella earlier this season. Two back in the
American H. (G2), the bay four-year-old was fifth, just 1 3/4 lengths back of
the winner, and last out he was promoted to first in the Escondido after being
bumped late in the race. Laura’s Lucky Boy will be challenging to earn a win
here in the more traditional fashion.

CONTINENTAL RED (Flying Continental), third in the Escondido most recently,
earned his first win since 2003 in the Quicken Tree on June 18, coincidentally
the same race in which he recorded that 2003 score. The nine-year-old chestnut
has found new life this year and will threaten in the top three under Rene
Douglas. CONTINUOUSLY (Diesis [GB]) also recorded his last win in 2003, that
coming as he was moved to first from second in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). The
six-year-old hasn’t shown quite as much as Continental Red this year, but still
deserves consideration for the bottom of the gimmicks since he’s been competing
at the top level in each start.

OUTTA HERE (Dehere) is winless from nine starts on the turf and doesn’t look
capable of handling this group of grass veterans. KILKEA CASTLE (Pleasant
Colony) and LEPRECHAUN KID (Alphabet Soup) both look out of their class against
these. We can’t recommend. HABANEROS (Tabasco Cat) and NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Regal
Classic) are on the also-eligible list but neither one looks capable of
challenging if he draws in.