For a Day, Harris Hopes California Is a Red State

Owner-breeder John Harris already has two stakes wins at the Del Mar meet.

The former chairman of the California Horse Racing Board won the Graduation with Spot The Diplomat, then took the California Dreamin’ a week ago with El Don.

Harris will try to add another stakes when his Red State takes on four other California breds in the $100,000 Real Good Deal today at Del Mar.

Trained by Marty Jones, Red State, a 3-year-old Smoke Glacken colt, will break from the outside in the small field going seven furlongs and he is one of two in the race with a win at the distance.

Beaten in his first five starts -- including three defeats as the favorite -- Red State has won two of his last three.

Corey Nakatani will ride the chestnut for the first time this afternoon.

The Real Good Deal is the second race on the card.

The favorite in the contest is Da Stoops.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Bob Baffert, Da Stoops will appreciate facing state breds again after finishing a well-beaten third in the Dwyer on July 4 at Belmont Park. The colt will have Victor Espinoza aboard.

Completing the cast are Bold Chieftain, who is making his first start since Jan. 29 for trainer Bill Morey Jr., the maiden Buddyandrowdy and Seven Nation Army.

Race of the day: Shared Dreams, who has won two of four in the U.S., will stretch to 1 1/2 miles today against a full field of fillies and mares in the $70,000 Waya at Saratoga.

Edgar Prado will ride the 4-year-old daughter of Seeking The Gold for owners Robin and Sarah Leigh and trainer Christophe Clement in the race after she won by a nose going 1 1/4 miles at Belmont on July 16.

Shared Dreams, who was bred in England by Gerald Leigh, won at 12 furlongs on March 16 at Gulfstream Park.

One for the road: Leos Gal won big in her finale at Churchill Downs on June 23 and is brought back in a spot where she can’t be claimed in the eighth race today at Ellis Park.

Apprentice Randall Toups will ride the 3-year-old Gold Case filly, who is one for one at Ellis, for trainer Randy Matthews, who co-owns Leos Gal with Spade Stable, in the $23,500 optional claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the fourth keying French Lady on top with Thanks and Fortunate Event in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/59. Money: (previous day/meet total): $26.60/$330. Total money bet: $340.