Published Thursday, November 26th, 2015   ( 8 years ago )

Hollywood Derby Tops Stakes Triple-Header Saturday at Del Mar

Om, © Benoit Photo
 
The Grade I $350,000 Hollywood Derby, the race which propelled California Chrome to 2014 Horse of the Year laurels, tops a stakes triple-header Saturday on the next-to-last afternoon of the fall Bing Crosby Season. Post time for the first of nine races will be 12:30 p.m.
 
In addition to the Hollywood Derby, Saturday’s program will feature two Grade III events, the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes and the $150,000 Native Diver Handicap
 
Sareen Family Trust’s Om will be seeking a Derby “trifecta” following triumphs in the Del Mar Derby last summer and the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita in October. Hall of Famer Gary Stevens has the call on Om who will be facing a full field of fellow three-year-olds in the nine-furlong contest over the infield grass course.
 
Among those attempting to upset Om will be the filly Sharla Rae, victress in the 2015 Del Mar Oaks. Other entrants are Mister Brightside, Vigilante, Chiropractor, Fundamental, Crittenden, Closing Bell, Soul Driver, Money Multiplier, March, Royal Albert Hall, Offering Plan, Win the Space and, on an also-eligible list, Acceptance.
 
The Jimmy Durante Stakes at one mile on the turf drew a field of 13 two-year-old fillies. Likely favorite is the two-for-two Riri, with Rafael Bejarano in the saddle. Her scheduled foes are Do the Dance, Coppa, Optimism And Hope, Corps de Ballet, Jeremy’s Legacy, One Last Shot, Sheeza Milky Way, Wake the Dawn, Mokat, Sutton’s Smile, Family Meeting and Mirage.
 
Comebacking Dortmund, from the barn of Triple Crown trainer Bob Baffert, is the probable betting choice versus six rivals in the Native Diver at nine furlongs on Del Mar’s main track. Third to stablemate American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby and then fourth in the Preakness Stakes before going to the sidelines, Dortmund returned to the races in winning style with a victory in the Big Bear at Santa Anita October 24. Stevens has the call.
 
Other Native Diver runners are Cat Burglar, Majestic City, Iron Fist, Big Cazanova, Yahilwa and Imperative.
 
The Del Mar fall season concludes Sunday.