This Field Is Second to None

In case you missed the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup four weeks ago, they’re running a better version of the race this afternoon at Del Mar. The $250,000 San Diego Handicap, a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19, attracted three of the principals from the Gold Cup--Skimming, Captain Steve and Futural--plus the No. 2 and No. 3 finishers--Freedom Crest and Dig For It--from the Bel Air Handicap. Spicy Stuff, a 4-year-old who is one for one at Del Mar, and the comebacking Budroyale, who has earned over $2.8 million while winning 17 of 49 starts, also are entered. Skimming, the defending champion and the horse of the meet here last year, will try to become the fifth horse to win the San Diego Handicap twice. One of those horses, Native Diver, actually won it three times between 1963-65. As good as the field for the Grade II is, four of the seven participants will be looking for their first victory at Del Mar. Freedom Crest, Futural and Budroyale are each winless in two and Dig For It is winless in three. Captain Steve, Skimming and Spicy Stuff are a combined four for six.

Race of the day: The San Diego is the race with the most quality, but there are promising 2-year-old fillies signed up for the fifth, a 5 1/2-furlong contest for maidens. Ayanna, the 2-1 morning-line choice, is the filly to beat based upon her strong second-place effort in her debut June 10 at Hollywood Park. She was beaten a length in 57 flat for five furlongs and wound up nine lengths clear of third-place finisher Tempera, who since returned to win by daylight. Among the fillies who will be making their debuts are Stonebridge Lady, a daughter of Honour And Glory, Imperial Gesture, a $350,000 purchase by Godolphin Racing, Inc., and Habibaty, a $450,000 buy earlier this year by Prince Ahmed Salman’s Thoroughbred Corporation.

Who’s hot: Eddie Delahoussaye. After getting off to a sluggish start, the Hall of Fame jockey won three times on Friday and none of the victories came aboard favorites. He won the opener with 10-1 longshot Daunting, the sixth with 17-1 outsider Spanish Ranch and the featured Wickerr with 4-1 longshot Thady Quill.

Who’s not: Chance Rollins. Unfortunately, the rider won’t win any races at Del Mar this summer. The veteran will be out two to three months after breaking his right leg in a starting gate mishap on Wednesday. Rollins was injured when his mount, Gray Rebel, flipped over before the start of the 1 1/16-mile race.

Exotically speaking: Blue Steller looks like a standout in the ninth race, so let’s key him on top in a trifecta to Red Box, Trae Genius and Rifling in the second spot and all in the third spot.