DEL MAR : Heart Of Joy Favored in Palomar

Heart Of Joy, runner-up by a length to Flawlessly in the Grade I Ramona Handicap, is the 2-1 favorite in today’s $100,000 Palomar Handicap for older fillies and mares.

Ridden by David Flores and trained by Gary Jones, Heart Of Joy will give away at least four pounds to others in the eight-horse field.

Second morning-line choice is Lyin To The Moon, ridden by Kent Desormeaux and carrying 114 pounds. Lyin To The Moon was second in the ungraded Osunitas Stakes after an allowance victory at Hollywood Park.

Sir Beaufort was not among the 10 entered Friday in Sunday’s $200,000 Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap at a mile. The Santa Anita Handicap winner last winter, Sir Beaufort finished last in his only Del Mar start.

“We’ll wait until Santa Anita,” trainer Charlie Whittingham said. “He hasn’t run as well on this track and he has on that one.”

The field for the Grade II race, in post-position order, includes Lottery Winner, Siberian Summer, Portoferraio, Region, Now Listen, Fast Cure, Three Peat, L’Express, Juliannus and Vying Victory.

Horse Racing Notes

Reconquista, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, won the $50,000 Generous Portion, Friday’s featured race, by a nose.Reconquista, part of a Granja Vista del Rio Stable entry, paid $47.60.