Avenge tops large field for Yellow Ribbon Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – Avenge, third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, is set to make her second start of the year Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile grass race for older females. The field is shaping up as the largest of the four stakes at Del Mar this weekend.

Her rivals are expected to include Amboseli, Cambodia, Corps de Ballet, Frenzified, Hillhouse High, Juno, and Pretty Girl. Also, a trio of high-class Eastern invaders: Sassy Little Lila, the runner-up to Antonoe in the Grade 1 Just a Game; Starship Jubilee, who dead-heated for the victory in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly at Woodbine; and Zipessa, the runner-up in last year’s Grade 1 Rodeo Drive.

Also Saturday is the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs, with runaway debut winners Diamondsandpearls and Spectator taking on unbeaten Landaluce Stakes winner Surrender Now in a compelling prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. Terra’s Angel also is expected to run, and Dancing Belle is possible.

Caribou Club, third in the Oceanside Stakes on opening day, is among the 3-year-old turf horses set for the Grade 3, $150,000 La Jolla Handicap on Sunday. Others likely to run include Colonist, Double Touch, Monster Man, and Sharp Samurai, with Cistron, Fashion Business, Offshore, Placido, Ready to Roc, and Taki’s Choice all possible.

Sunday’s supporting feature is the $100,000 Graduation Stakes, for California-bred 2-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs. Trainer Mike Machowsky could run as many as three: Drizzy, Schulace, and Utah Ute. Others likely to run include Bookies Luck, the filly Family Girl, Hit the Seam, Raven Creek, Sir Valentine, and Smokem.