Accelerate scratches out of San Diego Handicap; field of six remains

DEL MAR, Calif. – Accelerate, expected to be the heavy favorite for the San Diego Handicap on Saturday at Del Mar, was scratched the morning of the race and will train straight into next month’s Pacific Classic, trainer John Sadler said.

Sadler also scratched Curlin Rules from the race, leaving the unbeaten but lightly raced Catalina Cruiser as his lone representative.

Accelerate, Curlin Rules, and Catalina Cruiser are all owned by Kosta and Pete Hronis.

As a result of those two scratches, plus the scratches on Friday of Sharp Samurai and Prince of Arabia, the field is now down to six.

Accelerate, who won the San Diego last year and this year has won the Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup at Santa Anita, “can sit this one out,” Sadler said.

The San Diego goes as race 7 on a 10-race card that also includes the Grade 2 San Clemente for 3-year-old female turf runners.

KEY CONTENDERS

Catalina Cruiser, by Union Rags
Beyers: 107-89

• This exciting prospect has raced just twice and earned a dazzling Beyer Speed Figure in a first-level allowance in May at Santa Anita when making his first start since October.

Dr. Dorr, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 92-105-108

• Second to Accelerate in the Gold Cup, he was well beaten in the Suburban at Belmont Park on July 7, so this would be quick turnaround following a cross-country trip.

• He has finished out of the money in both his starts on Del Mar’s main track, but those occurred before he was gelded last August, and he’s clearly a far better racehorse now.

Harlan Punch, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 97-81-89

• He got loose on the lead on soft fractions when winning the Iselin last time out.

Dabster, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-76

• He’s 1 for 1 at Del Mar and 2 for 2 in two-turn races, but he was well beaten in both his graded stakes tries, both going seven furlongs.

– additional reporting by Steve Andersen