Dimitrova Heads to Belmont

Having conquered California, Dimitrova is now turning her attention to New York.

The winner of Hollywood Park’s $750,000 American Oaks in her U.S. debut July 5, the 3-year-old Swain filly is back from Ireland for trainer Dermot Weld for the $250,000 Garden City Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Belmont Park.

A Grade I at 1 1/8 miles on turf, the Garden City also attracted American Oaks runner-up Sand Springs and French imports Acago, Baie and Campsie Fells.

After winning two of five in Ireland, Dimitrova came to Inglewood and easily defeated Sand Springs, who entered that race having won three in a row and who has since captured the Lake Placid Handicap at Saratoga.

At Del Mar, the two main events are the $200,000 Palomar Breeders’ Cup Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and the $75,000 Torrey Pines Stakes at one mile.

Garden in the Rain tops a field of five in the Palomar while 2002 Del Mar Debutante winner Miss Houdini will try two turns for the first time in the Torrey Pines.

Race of the day: Tradition Rocks, an impressive winner in his first race for trainer Julio Canani, heads a field of eight in Del Mar’s third, a $63,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

The field also includes Sweet Stepper, who has won three of his last four for trainer Mike Mitchell; Ulterior Motives, Stratus, Special Matter, Sequoian, Yougottawanna and Striking Song, the $1.4-million yearling purchase who has raked in all of $88,760 nearly three-quarters of the way through his 4-year-old season.

One for the road: Under Caution chased better in two races at Saratoga for trainer Elliott Walden and now stretches out to a mile in today’s second at Arlington Park.

The 2-year-old son of A.P. Indy should relish the extra distance.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Miss Houdini and Valentine Dancer in the eighth, Sky Strider, Galavant and Greenhills in the ninth and Dark Command and the Maybe Midnight entry in the 10th.

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