Del Mar ‘Cap is Anyone’s Race

A well-matched group of nine line up Saturday evening for the GII Del Mar H., a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf. Phil D’Amato saddles two runners, including defending champion Big John B (Hard Spun). The Michael House colorbearer was subsequently third in the GII John Henry Turf Classic at Santa Anita in September, but settled for fifth against much tougher in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf back in Arcadia. A puzzling last in the GIII Last Tycoon S. on seasonal debut Apr. 25, he bounced back to take a starter handicap June 28 and handled the switch to dirt to grab this venue’s GIII Cougar II H. last out July 24. D’Amato also sends out Danas Best (Aus) (Danasinga {Aus}), who excelled in his native country going longer distances such as this one. The bay gelding was a close-up fifth behind Little Jerry (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Power Ped (Powerscourt {GB}) in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer here July 30. Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan) turned a corner when put back on the turf this February, defeating eventual GI Shoemaker Mile winner Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). He added the GII San Luis Rey S. over Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}) Mar. 21, and bested Ganesh (Brz) (Sulamani {Ire}) in the GII Charlie Whittingham S. May 24. He took on some of the East Coast’s best turfers in the GI United Nations S. at Monmouth July 5, and figures to appreciate this return to the West Coast. Finnegans Wake, winner of the GII Hollywood Turf Cup here in November, annexed the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic May 2. He was fourth in both Belmont’s GI Manhattan S. and in the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita on the dirt June 27, and rounded out the trifecta last time in the local nine-furlong GI Eddie Read S. July 18.