Another Drysdale Duo

Trainer Neil Drysdale finished 1-2 in a race at 1 3/8 miles on Del Mar’s turf course on Friday with favored Cold Cold Woman edging second choice Secret Charm.

The Hall of Fame trainer wouldn’t mind a similar outcome at the same trip on the same layout when he sends out Sarafan and Always First in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap today.

Owned by Maktoum al Maktoum, Always First will be making his first start since he won the Sunset Breeders’ Cup Handicap on July 17, the final day of Hollywood Park’s spring-summer season.

It was the second win in four U.S. starts for the 4-year-old Barathea gelding. Victor Espinoza, who is locked in a battle with Garrett Gomez for the riding title, has the mount.

Alex Solis will be aboard Sarafan, who was disqualified out of a victory in the Escondido Handicap on Aug. 3 in a controversial decision by the stewards. The 8-year-old will be seeking his fifth win in eight starts on the Del Mar turf course and was second to the ill-fated Star Over The Bay in this Grade II a year ago.

The other contenders in the Del Mar Handicap are Runaway Dancer, who is unbeaten in two starts over the local turf course, Exterior and Laura’s Lucky Boy, who was the beneficiary when Sarafan was disqualified nearly four weeks ago.

Race of the day: Forest Music, who led every step of the way to win the Honorable Miss in her return to Saratoga on Aug. 5, will try to stretch her speed an extra eighth of a mile against six rivals in the $250,000 Ballerina Handicap this afternoon. Jerry Bailey will ride the 4-year-old Unbridled’s Song filly for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen in the Grade I at seven furlongs.

One for the road: Ed Said adds the blinkers for his first start for trainer Grant Hofmans and can win in his Illinois debut in today’s fifth at Arlington. Leading jockey Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 4-year-old Lear Fan gelding in the $25,000 maiden contest at one mile on turf.

Hofmans, whose father is David Hofmans, won with four of his first seven starters at Arlington.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Resident Alien, Diamond For Kaci and Blue Cay in the seventh, Runaway Dancer in the eighth and Mood Route, Song Sung Gold, Lucky Stab, Ms Melange and Special Heather in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/85. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.40/$498.80. Total money bet: $582.