ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) will try to collect his third straight
trophy of the summer in Saturday’s $400,000 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). The
Neil Drysdale charge was a convincing winner of the May 29 Shoemaker Breeders’
Cup Mile S. (G1), and he followed up with a course record-setting romp in the 1
1/8-mile Eddie Read H. (G1) at Del Mar on July 23. The chestnut will be cutting
back in distance to a flat mile in this contest, and what could prove to be more
challenging, will shoulder the top weight of 123 pounds. With regular rider
Corey Nakatani in the irons, Aragorn will spot his foes between six and 10
pounds as he breaks from post 2.
Three of Aragorn’s Eddie Read victims are back for another try with a more
favorable spread in the weights. Multiple Grade 1 winner SWEET RETURN (GB) (Elmaamul)
is winless in four starts this season, but the Ron McAnally veteran turned in
his best effort so far when a determined runner-up in the Eddie Read. QUASIMODO
(A.P. Indy) had his four-race winning streak snapped in his stakes debut in the
Eddie Read, crossing the line in fifth but promoted to fourth via
disqualification. Eddie Read sixth HENDRIX (Sultry Song) had previously finished
a terrific second in the American Invitational H. (G2), beaten only by
subsequent Arlington Million (G1) hero The Tin Man (Affirmed).
Perhaps the most interesting challenger to Aragorn’s supremacy is Grade 3
winner LAURA’S LUCKY BOY (Theatrical [Ire]), making his 2006 bow for horseman
Richard Mandella. The bay has run well at Del Mar in the past, landing the 2005
Escondido H. via disqualification and just missing when second in the 1 3/8-mile
Del Mar H. (G2) last year and third in the 2004 Del Mar Derby (G2). Out of a
half-sister to two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Laura’s Lucky Boy has been
training sharply for his reappearance and could be the spoiler with his
117-pound impost.
Also taking part are the second- and third-place finishers in last year’s
edition, WE ALL LOVE ALEYNA (Nines Wild) and WILD BUDDY (Line in the Sand),
respectively. The Del Mar-loving We All Love Aleyna was most recently runner-up
in the Harry F. Brubaker H. over this course, while Wild Buddy is turning back
considerably in distance after his third in the 1 1/2-mile Sunset Breeders’ Cup
H. (G2) at Hollywood Park.
Completing the field is EL DON (Cee’s Tizzy), who scored in the California
Dreamin’ H. against fellow state-breds last time out. When venturing into open
company, he landed the San Matean H. at Bay Meadows but could manage only fourth
in the American Invitational.
Laura’s Lucky Boy will lead the post parade beneath Norberto Arroyo Jr. Next
comes Aragorn; El Don, Jose Valdivia Jr., 115 pounds; Quasimodo, Victor
Espinoza, 114; Hendrix, David Flores, 116; We All Love Aleyna, Martin Pedroza,
113; Sweet Return, Alex Solis, 117; and Wild Buddy, Jon Court, 114.
The Mercedes Stables entry of Laura’s Lucky Boy and Quasimodo will be coupled
in the wagering.