American Stakes winner Blitzkrieg to target Del Mar Mile

Blitzkrieg, who won his second Grade 3 race in Sunday’s American Stakes at Santa Anita, could have his next start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf Aug. 23.

Blitzkrieg led throughout the $102,000 American Stakes at a mile on turf, winning by a length at 7-1 in his seventh start of the year. A 5-year-old gelding, Blitzkrieg was winless in four starts in Dubai from late January to early March.

Trainer Doug O’Neill said Wednesday that Blitzkrieg could benefit from a gap between starts in coming weeks.

“That may be the plan instead of putting him on a plane,” O’Neill said of the $150,000 Del Mar Mile. “He’s had a pretty strong campaign, but he thrives on training and racing.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

“We need more like him around the barn.”

Blitzkrieg won the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields in 2019.

O’Neill said that Oliver, winner of the E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-bred miles at Los Alamitos last September, has been turned out for a summer rest. Oliver was last of five in the Thor’s Echo Stakes for statebred sprinters June 13 at Santa Anita.

“He’s just tired,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill is considering Howbeit for the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-olds on July 10 at Del Mar. Howbeit was third in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at seven furlongs last Saturday at Santa Anita and would have his turf debut in the Oceanside.