Point Determined Makes Switch to Turf at Del Mar

Point Determined, who has been first, second or third in eight of nine races on dirt, will try the turf for the first time today in the $400,000 Del Mar Derby at Del Mar.

Owned by the Bob and Beverly Lewis Trust and trained by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old Point Given colt will be making his first start since finishing second to Arson Squad in the Swaps Breeders’ Cup on July 8 at Hollywood Park.

A $750,000 2-year-old purchase whose only stakes win came in the Grade III Affirmed on June 17 in Inglewood, Point Determined will break from post nine in the Del Mar Derby, a Grade II race at 1 1/8 miles. Jorge Chavez will ride the bay for the first time this afternoon. The Del Mar Derby is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $245,045.

The field of 10 also includes shipper Union Avenue, a Gone West colt owned by WinStar Farm LLC and trained by Bill Mott.

Purchased for $300,000 as a yearling, Union Avenue has won three of six on grass, including a 23-1 upset in the Grade II American Derby on July 22 at Arlington Park. Corey Nakatani has the mount, becoming the sixth jockey to be aboard Union Avenue. Nakatani succeeds Larry Melancon, who replaced Ryan Fogelsonger, who took over for Robby Albarado, who replaced Chantal Sutherland, who succeeded Cornelio Velasquez.

Other prime contenders include Obrigado and Lightning Hit, the winners of the two divisions of the Oceanside Stakes on July 19, Porto Santo and impressive maiden winner Nonsensical, who will be making his turf debut for owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Craig Dollase.

Race of the day: Cotton Blossom, who is two for two, will try for the first Grade I win of her young career in the $250,000 Spinaway today at Saratoga. John Velazquez will ride the 2-year-old Broken Vow filly, who won the Schuylerville at 8-1 in her track debut July 26, for Dogwood Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher in the race at seven furlongs. The Spinaway is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $335,280.

One for the road: Catching isn’t meeting much in the first start of her career and can pop in her bow in the fourth race today at Arlington Park. Eusebio Razo Jr. will ride the 2-year-old Cat Thief filly for Dare To Dream Stable LLC and trainer Rebecca Maker in the $27,000 maiden contest at one mile on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Aravalli, Lake Marina and Del Mar Cat in the fourth, Tug O’War in the fifth and Their He Goes, Rhodine’s Kid and Five Star Wildcat in the sixth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/106. Money: (previous day/meet total): $5.20/$604. Total money bet: $682.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com