Conditions of Cary Grant suit Touching Rainbows well

DEL MAR, Calif. – Edwards Going Left and Solid Wager, one-two in last year’s $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes, meet again Sunday at Del Mar in the fifth running of this seven-furlong race for older California-bred sprinters, but it’s the class-dropping Touching Rainbows who will be trying to spoil the reunion party as he returns to his favorite track and surface.

Touching Rainbows owns a pair of wins on the Del Mar main track in four starts, and he was third earlier this year in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby. After a pair of turf sprints at Del Mar and Santa Anita, he is back on dirt, back at Del Mar, and dipping into a California-bred race, all of which should make him the one to beat.

“He loves the Del Mar main track,” said Phil D’Amato, who trains Touching Rainbows. “He was a valiant third in a Grade 1. I think he’ll run really well.”

Edwards Going Left has retained his good form from last year and should be a main player in this spot. He finished just a head behind Touching Rainbows in the Crosby and most recently was compromised by a slow start when facing subsequent Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Roy H in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

Solid Wager, beaten a half-length in this race last year by Edwards Going Left, returns to stakes company after four straight starts in optional-claiming races in which he was in for a $40,000 tag.

Brandothebartender moves back to dirt after a series of sharp performances on grass, most notably a victory in the California Flag on Oct. 20 at Santa Anita.

“It’s a Cal-bred race for $100,000, so we’re taking advantage of that, and if he does well, it can open some doors,” said Craig Dollase, who trains Brandothebartender. “I like seven furlongs for him. It’s an experiment. We know he likes turf. For $100,000, it’s worth taking a shot.”

Nine are entered in the Cary Grant. Ann Arbor Eddie is not a certain starter. Trainer Doug O’Neill on Friday said he could await the Seabiscuit Stakes on turf next Saturday.

The Cary Grant goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific and closes out Week 2 of this four-week meet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Touching Rainbows, by Aragorn
Last 3 Beyers: 87-96-95

◗ Flavien Prat, who owns five wins in six tries on Touching Rainbows, is reunited with him for the first time since June.

Edwards Going Left, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-95

◗ Like Touching Rainbows, he has two wins and a third in four starts on Del Mar’s main track.

Brandothebartender, by Tribal Rule
Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-85

◗ He’s only made two starts on dirt and never has finished in the money, but this is his first try on dirt since he was claimed by Dollase for $40,000 in August.

Grecian Fire, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 79-86-99

◗ He’s an intriguing turnback play after failing to punch it in going long in recent starts.

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