Continental Divide sticks with what he knows in I'm Smokin

DEL MAR, Calif. – There were options aplenty for Continental Divide this final weekend at Del Mar. He could have run in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Monday. He could have moved to grass for the Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sunday. But with his two strong performances this meet sprinting against California-breds, the smartest spot is the one where he has wound up, the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes on Friday.

“The best option was to just stay with Cal-breds,” said Jim Cassidy, who trains Continental Divide for Deron Pearson’s DP Racing.

Continental Divide was second in his debut here July 21 going five furlongs, then returned Aug. 6 to win the Graduation Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs. Cassidy said that two days after the Graduation, Continental Divide “popped an abscess out of the bulb of a heel,” which Cassidy thinks might have compromised Continental Divide from running better in the Graduation.

As it was, Continental Divide was very good that day. He made a powerful wide move under jockey Victor Espinoza, then held off Smokem, who had defeated Continental Divide by 2 1/4 lengths when they both debuted July 21.

“I thought Victor had moved too soon,” Cassidy said. “I was going to wring his neck. He said he didn’t want to mess around.”

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Round 3 of Continental Divide vs. Smokem is among the more compelling aspects of the I’m Smokin, which is at six furlongs. Drizzy and Cono, third and fourth in the Graduation, also are entered.

There are nine 2-year-olds in the I’m Smokin, which goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 3:30 p.m. Pacific.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Continental Divide, by Animal Kingdom

Beyers: 67-57

◗ He has the pedigree to suggest added distance and turf will be within his scope down the line.

“He’s still growing,” Cassidy said.

Smokem, by Union Rags

Beyers: 65-64

◗ A poor start and rail draw compromised him in the Graduation. He has a far more favorable draw this time, and with his late-running style should appreciate going out to six furlongs.

Sir Valentine, by Heat Shield

Beyers: 61-71

◗ After beating Cal-breds at Santa Anita in May, he was no match for Run Away when facing open company in the Santa Anita Juvenile in July. This is a significant class drop, and Run Away subsequently won the Best Pal Stakes here and is one of the leading contenders for the Del Mar Futurity.

◗ He adds blinkers for this race.