Gold Phoenix © Benoit Photo

More graded stakes action awaits Del Mar patrons next week at the seaside oval. Three stakes are on the schedule, two of which are “Win and You’re In” races for the Breeders’ Cup in October. There’s also the possibility of a feat that’s only been accomplished twice in the history of horse racing.

That would be Gold Phoenix’ bid for a fifth consecutive win in the G2 Del Mar Handicap which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Should he win Saturday, Gold Phoenix would join the great Kelso and Manikato from Australia as the only horses to ever win the same stakes race five times. 

Fourteen horses have been nominated to the Del Mar Handicap, which is one of the longest races of the meet at a mile and three eighths on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. 

Trainer Graham Motion has nominated Test Score to the Del Mar ‘Cap. Motion has won both of the stakes races he’s shipped in horses for this summer. Test Score won the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park earlier this year.

Also capable of spoiling the party are Mondego from the Michael McCarthy barn, winner of this year’s G2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita and Nitti, winner of the G3 San Juan Capistrano which is run at 1 ¾ miles.

The Del Mar Handicap is one of two graded stakes slated for Saturday. The other is the 41st running of the G2 Pat O’Brien a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Nineteen horses were nominated to the seven-furlong test on the main track. 

Last year’s winner Dr. Venkman is looking to defend his crown, possibly against the likes of Nevada Beach or Privman from the Bob Baffert barn, Shea Brennan or Stronghold from Philip D’Amato’s potent stable, or Richard Mandella’s talented Cal-bred Big City Lights.

The final stakes race of the weekend falls on Sunday when Del Mar runs the G3 Torrey Pines Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Thirteen fillies were nominated to the race, including Mohaven from the John Sadler barn and Reddam Racing’s She’s No Quant, winner of the Fleet Treat Stakes earlier in the meet. 

They’ll be going one mile on the main track in the Torrey Pines. Last year’s winner, Om N Joy, ran fourth in this year’s Pacific Classic. 

Entries for the Del Mar Handicap and the Pat O’Brien will be drawn Sunday. The Torrey Pines will be drawn on Wednesday.