By Christie DeBernardis
Air Strike (Street Sense) and Cistron (The Factor) finished a head apart in the seven-panel GI Triple Bend S. May 25 and they face rematch Saturday in Del Mar's GI Bing Crosby S., as well as meeting a few new faces, in hopes of securing a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Air Strike, who broke his maiden decisively in his lone previous start at Del Mar, was securing his first graded success in the Triple Bend off a fourth in the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. Apr. 28. Meanwhile, Cistron entered the Triple Bend off a 5 1/4-length triumph in the GII Kona Gold S. in Arcadia Apr. 20.
Recruiting Ready (Algorithms) ships in from the East Coast off a close third to recent GII San Diego H. victor Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) in Belmont's GII True North S. June 7, an effort that earned him a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Winner of the GIII Gulfstream Park Sprint S. in March, the 'TDN Rising Star' was fourth in Keeneland's GIII Commonwealth S. in April and was second in Belmont's Runhappy S. May 11.
GIII Smile Sprint S. runner-up Jalen Journey (With Distinction) makes his first start for Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen and trainer Peter Miller since topping the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale at $510,000. Prior to his June 29 effort, he rattled off three consecutive daylight wins at Gulfstream for conditioner Kathleen O'Connell. Miller also sends out Line Judge (Spring At Last) off a solid score in the Kelly's Landing S. at Churchill Downs June 29.
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