Horse racing notes: Bob Baffert, Philip D’Amato double down on Hirsch Stakes entries
DEL MAR LEADERS
Through Thursday
JOCKEYS / WINS
Juan Hernandez / 12
Hector Berrios / 11
Umberto Rispoli / 8
Antonio Fresu / 6
Two tied / 5
TRAINERS / WINS
Philip D’Amato / 9
Bob Baffert / 6
Doug O’Neill / 6
Three tied / 4
WEEKEND STAKES (DEL MAR)
Friday
• $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes, 3-year-olds bred in California, 7 furlongs
Saturday
• $400,000 Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 1-1/16 miles
• $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, 3-year-olds and up bred in California, 1-1/16 miles (turf)
Sunday
• $150,000 Grade III La Jolla Handicap, 3-year-olds, 1-1/16 miles (turf)
• $125,000 CTBA Stakes, 2-year-old fillies bred in California, 5½ furlongs
DOWN THE STRETCH
• Count trainer Eric Kruljac among the many horsemen who have joined the Hector Berrios fan club. “He just really clicks with every horse I’ve put him on,” he said. “I think he’s just an outstanding horseman. He’s just an incredible horseman and rider. He’s very patient in the saddle. Right now, he’s the hottest rider in Southern California.” Berrios went into Friday’s eight-race card second in the jockey standings, one win (12-11) behind Juan Hernandez.
• Six horses were entered for Saturday’s $1 million Grade I Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. Cody’s Wish, atop the latest Breeders’ Cup Classic rankings, was made the 1-2 morning-line favorite with Junior Alvarado aboard. Zandon is the second choice at 9-2 and Charge It is the 5-1 third choice. Cody’s Wish, whose ability to go a mile and an eighth is questionable, has won both starts this year for trainer Bill Mott. He comes in off a victory in the Grade I Met Mile at Belmont Park on June 10.
• A short field of five, all graded-stakes winners, will go postward in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. The winner receives an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Bob Baffert, who won the race in 2020 with Fighting Mad, will send out two this year – Adare Manor and Fun to Dream. Philip D’Amato, currently atop the trainer standings, also will send out a pair – Elm Drive and Desert Dawn.
— Art Wilson