Dog Tag
A power-laden line-up 14 three-year-old fillies, including four highly-regarded invaders from the East Coast, will tangle Saturday in the Grade I $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at nine furlongs over Del Mar’s infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
On the afternoon of the 29th running of the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic, Del Mar Thoroughbred will present four other graded stakes on an 11-race program beginning at 2 p.m.
In addition to the TVG Pacific Classic and Del Mar Oaks, other added money events on the card are the $100,000 Green Flash Handicap, the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap by the Japan Racing Association, and the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes.
An exceptionally strong field of fillies is set for the Del Mar Oaks. Coming in to take on the California-based contingent are two stakes-winners from the stable of America’s leading trainer, Chad Brown – Cambier Parc and Dogtag, plus Hard Legacy and Wild Balance.
Mucho Unusual won the San Clemente July 20 and will be seeking her fourth consecutive victory. Other local contenders are Maxim Rate, Strike At Dawn, Raymundos Secret, Keeper Ofthe Stars, Apache Princess, Sold It, Lady Prancealot, Out of Balance and Hidden Message.
Entrants in the Green Flash at five furlongs on the turf are Calexman, Stormy Liberal, Undrafted, Shades of Victory, Eddie Haskell and Mr Vargas. Stormy Liberal has won the last two renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and took the 2018 Green Flash.
The Del Mar Handicap, at a mile and three-eighths on the grass, attracted a nine-horse field, namely, Oscar Dominguez, Ritzy A.P., Blended Citizen, Marckie’s Water, United, The Great Day, Itsinthepost, Arizona Moon and Acclimate. The Del Mar ‘Cap is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November.
Entered in the Torrey Pines, for sophomore fillies at one mile on the main dirt track, are Into Chocolate, High Regard, Classic Fit, Hollywood Hills, Colonial Greed, Sneaking Out, Fighting Mad and Kim K.