Lucky No. 7 for Baffert

Bob Baffert is on his way to winning another training title at Del Mar.

Well clear of Jeff Mullins and John Sadler, each of whom have a better winning percentage, Baffert will have the most victories for a record-tying seventh consecutive year.

Farrell Jones was the top trainer annually from 1960-66.

However, Baffert has struggled in stakes races. Dirty Diana provided him his only stakes victory of the meet by winning the ungraded CTBA on July 25.

Senor Swinger, the likely favorite in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby today, can double Baffert’s total for the meet.

Purchased privately by Baffert for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis earlier this year, Senor Swinger has found his home on the turf. He has won two of four on the grass for his new connections, with three of the races coming after he finished fifth in the Preakness.

Third, beaten a length as the 7-5 favorite in last month’s La Jolla Handicap, Senor Swinger gets a new rider in Jose Valdivia, Jr. the Derby distance, 1 1/8 miles, should help.

Race of the day: Yankee Gentleman, who won his California debut by three and a half lengths on Aug. 7, is among nine older horses set to go six furlongs in the $75,000 Pirate’s Bounty Handicap. A 4-year-old Storm Cat colt owned by Marty and Pam Wygod and trained by John Shirreffs, Yankee Gentleman will be ridden by Julie Krone.

One for the road: Intrinsic Worth was compromised by a bad start in his debut on Aug. 16 and can make amends today in the sixth at Arlington Park. The 2-year-old Red Ransom colt comes from Mike Stidham’s barn.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Retirees Three, Wild Card Deck and Rock Island Salami in the seventh, Senor Swinger and Singletary in the eighth, Ganedyl, Honest Answer and Proud Gal in the ninth and singling Gassan Rock in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/96. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.80/$551. Total money bet: $668.