Catapult, Sharp Samurai to meet again in Eddie Read

DEL MAR, Calif. – Catapult and Sharp Samurai were the top two finishers in the Grade 2 Eddie Read last summer at Del Mar, and they were among those expected to be entered Thursday for this year’s edition, to be held Sunday.

The Eddie Read, a 1 1/8-mile grass race for 3-year-olds and up, is also expected to include Bowies Hero, Majestic Eagle, Marckie’s Water, and Ohio.

There are several horses nominated to both the Eddie Read and the restricted, $85,000 Wickerr, also Sunday, at one mile on turf. Trainer Dan Blacker, for instance, has Ritzy A. P. nominated to both races and said he and owner Calumet Farm were trying to determine whether to go in the tougher race at a distance believed more suitable to Ritzy A. P., or the shorter race.

Regardless, Blacker intends to run Double Touch in the Wickerr, whose field also could include Blended Citizen, Higher Power, Law Abidin Citizen, Master Merion, Souter, Up the Ante, and possibly Dr. Dorr and Bombard.