Mighty David Recovers

After winning three of his first five starts at Calder Race Course in Florida, 3-year-old gelding Mighty David fell off the pace after arriving in California.

Trained by Chris Paasch and owned by a partnership that includes Eastern Sky Unlimited Trust, Mighty David managed only one second-place finish in his first four starts on this coast.

Three races ago, Paasch removed the blinkers and Mighty David stepped up his game July 10 at Hollywood Park.

An 8-1 shot in a field of five that included the talented comebacker Tribal Rule and the streaking 3-year-old Timely Action, Mighty David battled through quick fractions (21 3/5 and 43 3/5) and kept on digging to beat Tribal Rule by a neck. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:08 1/5, the quickest clocking for the distance at the Hollywood Park meet.

The Florida-bred will try for his sixth lifetime win in today’s seventh at Del Mar. An optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs, the race is part of a pick six that has a carryover of $125,908.

The rest of the field is made up of Our Shining Hour, McCordnskuba, Lebontempsroulet, Coded Message, Lookn East and Tavasco.

Race of the day: Admiralty Arch, one of many promising 2-year-olds trained by Todd Pletcher, makes his second start in today’s seventh at Saratoga.

Who’s hot: Francisco Duran. The apprentice jockey led the standings at Santa Rosa after the first six days of the meet.

Who’s not: Shaun Bridgmohan. The rider lost with 20 of his first 21 mounts at Saratoga.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using French Rebel and Macon County in the second, singling Fleeting Term in the third and using Morning Riser and Swingin Swiss in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/11. Money: Previous day/meet total: $6.40/$77. Total money bet: $120.