Ellwood And Jake Isn’t Blue About Turf at Del Mar

Ellwood And Jake is back on what looks to be his preferred surface -- turf -- in the seventh race today at Del Mar.

A 3-year-old Mr. Greeley colt owned by Michael House and trained by Mike Mitchell, Ellwood And Jake, who was purchased for $57,000 last year in Florida, broke his maiden by two lengths in his debut on the lawn, then finished third as the 17-10 favorite in an optional claimer less than a month later.

After a pair of losses on the dirt, the latter of which occurred after surprise rain forced the first race off the turf Aug. 3, Ellwood And Jake will take on seven opponents today in a $59,000 optional claimer at five furlongs.

Apprentice Martin Garcia, who rode the colt for the first time when he finished second to Irish Ty 18 days ago, is back on and they will break from the rail.

The other 3-year-olds in the field are Right Again, who is making his first start since finishing third in his U.S. debut at Santa Anita on Jan. 22, and Jitterbug Ball, who will be trying grass for the first time for Gerald Ford’s Diamond A Racing Corp. and trainer Richard Mandella.

Race of the day: Ultimate Summer, who has won six of her last eight starts, will make her first start for trainer Wesley Ward in the eighth race today at Bay Meadows. Kerwin John will ride the daughter of Cee’s Tizzy in the $30,000 optional claimer at five furlongs on turf. Ultimate Summer was claimed by Ward for a partnership out of a win on July 4 at Hollywood Park.

One for the road: Raven H debuts for a trainer (Tom Bush) who wins often with first time starters, and the 2-year-old Orientate colt isn’t catching a particularly strong field for his initial outing in the sixth race today at Saratoga. Kent Desormeaux will ride Raven H for owners John Confort and Albert Weis in the $47,000 maiden contest for New York breds at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Inexcessabeau in the fifth, Bubbles Again, Zim’s Blur, My Dancen Diva and Ivy League Miss in the sixth, Ellwood And Jake, Right Again and Witness This in the seventh and Redstone Arsenal, Strong Force and Stormy Surge in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/79. Money: (previous day/meet total): $13.40/$432. Total money bet: $496.