Blackdoun Tries for Sweep

Sweeping Del Mar’s three-race grass series for 3-year-olds -- the Oceanside Stakes, La Jolla Handicap and Del Mar Derby -- wouldn’t be a first for trainer Julio Canani.

In 1998, the talented Ladies Din, trained by Canani for a partnership, swept the trio of races and went on to success as an older horse.

This year, Blackdoun has an opportunity to repeat the feat heading into today’s $150,000 La Jolla, a Grade II stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Blackdoun, a gray son of the French stallion Verglas who is owned by Naify and Woodside Farms LLC, couldn’t have been more impressive in his U.S. debut on July 21 in the Oceanside.

If he is to win the La Jolla and go into next month’s Del Mar Derby with a shot at matching Ladies Din, Blackdoun is going to have to beat Laura’s Lucky Boy.

Owned by Ernie Moody’s Mercedes Stable LLC and trained by Jason Orman, the Theatrical colt has won three of five on the turf.

Race of the day: Exotic Elegance, a well-regarded daughter of Storm Cat out of the stakes-winning mare Exotic Wood, makes her debut in today’s ninth at Del Mar. David Flores will ride the 3-year-old filly in the $49,000 maiden contest at 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Mei Sing Star should find the competition at Ferndale to his liking and prove tough to catch going only five furlongs in today’s sixth, a $6,250 claimer.

Exotically speaking: The NTRA pick four using Speightstown in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Aubonne, Musical Chimes and Commercante in the Beverly D., Request For Parole and Silverfoot in the Sword Dancer, and Vespone, Kicken Kris, Senor Swinger, Vangelis and Powerscourt in the Arlington Million.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/51. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14/$279.60. Total money bet: $356.