Cambodia tops Proctor runners in three key grass stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. – There’s no telling where trainer Tom Proctor will be any given morning at this time of year. He’s got horses at Del Mar preparing for stakes next week, and is getting a string settled in at Fair Grounds. He had runners last week at Laurel and Aqueduct, and this winter will have his usual contingent at Tampa Bay Downs, in addition to those he runs at Gulfstream Park.
On Thursday he was at Del Mar, where next week Proctor will have runners in three of the important grass stakes that highlight the final week of this abbreviated four-week meeting. The most notable is Cambodia, who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in her last start Nov. 4 and will be one of the main players in the Grade 1, $300,000 Matriarch Stakes for older females at one mile on closing day, Nov. 26.
Cambodia won the Yellow Ribbon and John Mabee, both Grade 2 stakes, on this course during the summer meet. She had two months off before the Breeders’ Cup and will come back on 22 days’ rest for the Matriarch.
Proctor said he also will run long-distance specialist Chicago Style in the Grade 2, $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles Nov. 24, and Earring in the Grade 3, $100,000 Red Carpet Handicap for older females at 1 3/8 miles Thanksgiving Day.
Drayden Van Dyke has the call on all three Proctor runners.
The Matriarch is coming up particularly strong, with an outstanding group of runners set to ship in for the race, including both Off Limits and Rubilinda for Chad Brown, and Hawksmoor for Arnaud Delacour. Others likely for the Matriarch include Belvoir Bay, Insta Erma, Lady Valeur, Lull, Miss Julia Star, Mrs. McDougal, and Thundering Sky.
Joel Rosario will be in town to ride Off Limits, while Javier Castellano has the mount on Mrs. McDougal.
In addition to Chicago Style, who won twice on this course during the summer meet, the Hollywood Turf Cup is expected to include Editore, Flamboyant, Infobedad, Inordinate, Manitoulin, Noble Nick, Prime Attraction, and Tequila Joe.
In addition to Earring, others under consideration for the Red Carpet include Dynamic Mizzes K, Evo Campo, Galileo’s Song, La Manta Gris, Laseen, Lottie, Nodiac, Pretty Girl, Responsibleforlove, Texting, and Victress.
The Matriarch is one of two Grade 1 races yet to be run this meet, along with the $300,000 Hollywood Derby on Nov. 25.
Those likely for the 1 1/8-mile Derby include Big Score, Bowies Hero, Channel Maker, Harbour Master, Just Howard, Kencumin, Mo Town, Mr Havercamp, Sharp Samurai, and Van Cortlandt.
