Brown sends four for Hollywood Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. – If there is safety in numbers, trainer Chad Brown is trying to make himself awfully safe in the Hollywood Derby.

On Monday, Brown sent four runners – Fundamental, March, Money Multiplier, and Offering Plan – to Del Mar for the Grade 1, $300,000 Hollywood Derby, the featured race here Saturday.

The Hollywood Derby is expected to be topped by Om, who won the Del Mar Derby during the summer at the same 1 1/8-mile distance, then followed up with a victory Oct. 24 in the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita.

A full field is likely for the Hollywood Derby, in which a maximum of 14 can run. In addition to Brown’s quartet and Om, those expected to be entered Wednesday include Acceptance, Chiropractor, Closing Bell, Crittenden, Mister Brightside, One Go All Go, Royal Albert Hall, Soul Driver, Win the Space, and the filly Sharla Rae.

Also on Saturday are the Grade 3, $150,000 Native Diver Handicap for older horses at 1 1/8 miles and the Grade 3, $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.

Iron Fist, an allowance winner Nov. 1 and before that the runner-up in the Pennsylvania Derby, is expected for the Native Diver, along with Big Cazanova, Cat Burglar, Imperative, Majestic City, and possibly Ground Rules and the mares Warren’s Veneda and Yahilwa.

The Jimmy Durante, known as the Miesque when it was run at Hollywood Park, will have a bulky field, with four runners from Phil D’Amato’s barn – Coppa, Optimism and Hope, Riri, and Sutton’s Smile – all expected.

Jeremy’s Legacy, a dazzling winner against maidens Saturday, could wheel right back on seven days’ rest, said trainer Doug O’Neill. Others expected to enter include Corps de Ballet, Decked Out, Do the Dance, Enjoy Yourself, Family Meeting, Imflatoutsweet, Just Google Me, Mirage, Mokat, and Wake the Dawn.