Beholder heads weekend action at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. – Beholder, a two-time champion, is the marquee name for the weekend’s stakes at Del Mar. She is scheduled to head the field in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Saturday.

The Clement Hirsch, at 1 1/16 miles, is the championship race of the meet for fillies and mares on dirt. Among those expected to face Beholder are Honey Ride, Thegirlinthatsong, Warren’s Veneda, and Yahilwa.

Gusto Dolce, My Monet, My Sweet Addiction, Sam’s Sister, Stellar Wind, and Tesalina are all possible at this point, though it’s unlikely many of them would run if Beholder goes.

Sunday’s feature is the $200,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds, and the likely favorite is Gimme Da Lute, who comes off a win over Prospect Park and Kentuckian in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby, his second straight graded stakes win.

Gimme Da Lute’s trainer, Bob Baffert, decided to take a less-ambitious approach with Gimme Da Lute after he “fell apart,” according to Baffert, in a workout when he first got to Del Mar. Baffert was far more satisfied with a five-furlong drill on Monday in 58.80 seconds which equaled the best of the day at the distance.

The presence of Gimme Da Lute is expected to keep the field size down. Grazen Sky, Richard’s Boy, Rocko’s Wheel, and Smack Talk are all considered likely for the seven-furlong race, with Hot Lightning and Tough Sunday possible.

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