Del Mar Stakes Set for Penultimate Weekend

 

 

Thirteen were entered, with two on the also eligible llist, for Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Red Carpet Handicap. At 1 3/8 miles on turf, the former Beverly Hills Handicap is the second-longest race of the meeting. On Sunday, the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes attracted eight California-breds. Among those entered for the seven-furlong former On Trust Stakes are Big Macher, winner of the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes here last summer, undefeated (6-for-6) Red Outlaw and defending race champion Rousing Sermon.

 

The field for the Red Carpet, in post position order with oddsmaker Russ Hudak’s morning line is: Appealing Cat (Rafael Bejarano, 7-2), Winning Rhythm (Alex Solis, 5-1), Hijra (Elvis Trujillo, 5-1),  Left A Message (Gary Stevens, (15-1), Luscious Lonna (William Antongeorgi III, 12-1), Bee Brave (Martin Garcia, 20-1), Modernstone (Martin Pedroza, 15-1), Three Hearts (Joe Talamo, 15-1), Lady Pimpernel (Victor Espinoza, 6-1), Lady Of Gold (Kent Desormeaux, 6-1), and Scooter Bird (Corey Nakatani, 9-2). The also eligibles are Macaabra (Fernando Perez, 20-1) and Soresca (Tiago Pereira, 20-1).

 

Favored Appealing Cat is the first of several horses from the stable of trainer H. Graham Motion likely to run in stakes before the close of the meeting on November 30. The East Coast-based Motion is No. 8 in the national statistics with his horses having accounted for more than $10 million in purse earnings in 2014. He trains recent $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and Horse of the Year candidate Main Sequence.

 

The field for the Cary Grant is: Celebrity Status (Tyler Baze), Got Even (Martin Pedroza), Patriots Rule (Fernando Perez), Soi Phet (Kent Desormeaux), Big Macher (Rafael Bejarano), Magic Mark (Joe Talamo) and Rousing Sermon (Elvis Trujillo).

 

Red Outlaw is nominated for other upcoming stakes and his presence in the Cary Grant remains to be determined.

 

“At this point we’re going to look at it and decide. We’re considering the Hollywood Derby and the Seabiscuit as well,” trainer Peter Miller said Thursday morning. The $250,000 Grade II Seabiscuit, 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-olds and up is  Friday, November 28. The Grade I $300,000 Hollywood Derby, 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-year-olds is Saturday, November 29.

 

“We probably won’t make a decision (about the Cary Grant) until race day on Sunday.”

 

Red Outlaw worked three furlongs Thursday morning in :37.80.

 

Source: Del Mar Communications/Hank Wesch