A Real Good Deal in Mind

Looking to win the $100,000 Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar for the fourth time in eight years, trainer Bob Baffert will send out Martinblestme and Exceeding this afternoon.

Owned and bred by Dawn and Terry Henn, the 3-year-old Benchmark colt is the co-third choice at 4-1 in the seven-furlong race restricted to California breds.

This will be the third stakes appearance at Del Mar for Martinblestme. He was fourth behind stablemate Icecoldbeeratreds in last year’s Graduation, then was second to the highly regarded Siberland in the I’m Smokin about six weeks later.

No better than second in his first three races for the Double Bar S Ranch, Exceeding won for the first time as the 8-5 favorite in his Del Mar debut on July 24.

The lukewarm 3-1 favorite in the Real Good Deal is Shadow Of Illinois.

Trained by Anthony Saavedra for owners W.D. and Ella Sivage, the 3-year-old Illinois Storm gelding is returning to racing on dirt after a win and a third on the Hollywood Park turf. He will break from the outside in the field of eight and be ridden by Alex Solis.

The rest of the field includes longshot Windscore; Unfurl The Flag, who broke his maiden for Baffert here last year; the unbeaten Just Parkin, Houston’s Prayer; and Excess Summer, who will have blinkers added by trainer Jeff Mullins.

Race of the day: Whoopi Cat, who broke her maiden by six lengths in her first race at Belmont Park on July 11, is one of seven 2-year-old fillies running in today’s $150,000 Adirondack at Saratoga. The race is a Grade II at 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Silver Lace gets a trainer change to the sizzling Todd Pletcher, so big improvement is expected when she makes her first start at Saratoga in today’s seventh, a $49,000 allowance at six furlongs. The race is part of a pick six with a two-day carryover of $435,380.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Ashoka in the third, using Slew Stew, Cool Composure, The Station and Spectacular Chance in the fourth and Grinding It Out and Ulloa in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/36. Money: Previous day/meet total: $38.80/$207.40. Total money bet: $292.