Appropriate ending to Shared Belief Stakes?

DEL MAR, Calif. – There will be fond remembrances, no doubt, mixed with sadness on Friday at Del Mar when the Shared Belief Stakes is run for the first time, but there could be a poignant result in the race, for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is sending out two runners, and the owners of Shared Belief own one of them.

The $100,000 Shared Belief, at one mile for 3-year-olds, was run 41 times as the El Cajon Stakes. It was renamed this year to honor Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013 who won the 2014 Pacific Classic here but died suddenly from colic last December.

Hollendorfer trained Shared Belief for a partnership that included sportscaster Jim Rome, who will be hosting his nationally syndicated radio show from Del Mar on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Rome’s Jungle Racing is a co-owner of Taman Guard, whom Hollendorfer will saddle along with Who’s Out, who should be one of the top betting interests in the race and will be ridden by Mike Smith, Shared Belief’s regular jockey.

In addition, a print of a painting of Shared Belief beating California Chrome in the 2015 San Antonio Stakes by the noted artist John Rowe – and signed by Hollendorfer, Smith, and Rome – will be auctioned off, with all money raised donated to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The Shared Belief Stakes drew 11 runners. It goes as race 7 on an eight-race card. Post time this Friday and next Friday is 3:30 p.m., a half-hour earlier than prior Fridays at this meet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Who’s Out, by Tale of Ekati

Last 3 Beyers: 97-97-77

◗ He comes off a pair of strong sprint efforts against older allowance runners and now will be trying two turns for the first time.

“We planned on running him 6 1/2 furlongs and then seven and then stretching him out,” Hollendorfer said. “He made the plan we had, and we think he’ll do quite well going a mile.”

Taman Guard, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 81-88-68

◗ He finished fourth after a wide trip in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-breds last time out. As with Who’s Out, this will be his first start around two turns.

Accelerate, by Lookin At Lucky

Last 3 Beyers: 93-82-81

◗ He comes off a powerful victory against maidens here on July 28 in his first start around two turns, and the strength of that win was confirmed when third-place finisher Bollywood came back to win last weekend.

Spanish Hombre, by Spaniard

Last 3 Beyers: 87-91-86

◗ He has won twice in four starts since being claimed by trainer Craig Lewis and having blinkers added.

◗ Lewis also entered Knight of Drama, who romped over starter-allowance company last time out in his two-turn debut.