Accelerate topweight for San Diego Handicap

Accelerate, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup at Santa Anita earlier this year, will carry top weight of 125 pounds in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday. The San Diego, at 1 1/16 miles, is the major local prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 18.

Accelerate’s main rival is likely to be Mubtaahij, who was second in the Lone Star Park Handicap last time out in his only start since finishing third in the Dubai World Cup. He worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Monday morning at Del Mar. He was assigned 121 pounds.

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The San Diego will not include City of Light, who was third in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita last time out following earlier victories this year in the Oaklawn Handicap and Triple Bend Stakes. His trainer, Michael McCarthy, said City of Light would make his next start at Saratoga, but the specific race had yet to be determined.

Others pointing to the San Diego include Dabster, Harlan Punch, and Two Thirty Five.

The San Diego shares the Saturday card with the Grade 2, $200,000 San Clemente Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. A large field is likely for the San Clemente, including Ahimsa, Animosity, Flammetta, Goodthingstaketime, Lexington Grace, Miss Sienna, Ms Bad Behavior, Ms. Peintour, Mybluebell, Ollie’s Candy, Rockin Ready, War Heroine, and West Palm Beach.