Catalina Cruiser © Benoit Photo

Hronis Bros’ classy Catalina Cruiser will attempt to duplicate his feat of a year ago when he won both San Diego Handicap and Pat O’Brien Stakes Saturday when he packs highweight of 121 pounds versus six rivals in the 2019 renewal of the  Grade II $200,000 O’Brien at seven furlongs.

The O’Brien Stakes is a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup qualifying event for the BC Dirt Mile in November at Santa Anita.

Catalina Cruiser, beaten only once in seven career starts, in the 2018 Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs where he was sixth to City of Light as the 9-10 favorite, will have Del Mar’s leading rider, Flavien Prat, in the saddle for the first time.

The John Sadler-trained five-year-old son of Union Rags won the San Diego Handicap July 20 in workmanlike but unspectacular fashion, tallying by a length. The runner-up in that race, Mongolian Groom, came back to be third in the  Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic a week ago. Since the San Diego, Catalina Cruiser has turned in three works, including a best-of-the-morning six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 August 17.

Opposing morning line favorite Catalina Cruiser will be Lieutenant Dan, 116, Abel Cedillo; Chief Cicatriz, 119, Ruben Fuentes; Jalen Journey, 119, Norberto Arroyo, Jr.; Giant Expectations, 119, Drayden Van Dyke; Seven Trumpets, 119, Victor Espinoza, and American Anthem, 119, Rafael Bejarano.

Lieutenant Dan won the restricted Real Good Deal Stakes July 27, Seven Trumpets captured the Good Lord Stakes at Ellis Park July 21, while American Anthem won an optional/allowance race July 20.

Back in action Saturday will be Giant Expectations, victor in the 2017 Pat O’Brien. He was second, beaten a nose, in the Commentator at Belmont Park in late May, his most recent outing. Great Expectations has posted a series of fast drills in preparation for the O’Brien.  Jalen Journey and Chief Cicatriz were third and seventh, respectively, behind Cistron in the Crosby July 27.

Post time for the first of ten races Saturday is 2 p.m.