Daisycutter right in Desert Steel's wheelhouse

DEL MAR, Calif. – Desert Steel is 3 for 6 in five-furlong turf sprints at Del Mar and 2 for 13 doing anything else. She returns to her favorite trip on Friday for the $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap, seeking a second consecutive victory after ending an eight-race losing streak last time out at Santa Anita.

“Last time was her first win down the hill at Santa Anita in quite a few tries,” said Simon Callaghan, who trains Desert Steel. “Five-eighths is the perfect distance, probably. I think this track definitely seems to be where she thrives. She’s doing as well as I’ve ever had her.”

Desert Steel, 5, was sixth in last year’s Daisycutter, but that was her first start in nearly eight months, and she had a dreadful trip from an inside post. For Friday, she landed the outside box in a field of six.

“I like the post,” Callaghan said. “It’s a good spot.”

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Desert Steel could provide the start of a heady 24 hours for Callaghan. After the Daisycutter, he is taking a red-eye to Saratoga to saddle American Gal in the Grade 1 Test Stakes on Saturday.

The Daisycutter, for fillies and mares, goes as race 3 on an eight-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Desert Steel, by Desert Code

Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-85

◗ She is at her best when she stalks, and this post draw should afford her an ideal trip.

◗ Flavien Prat, who leads all riders in stakes wins at this meet with four, has the mount.

Watch This Cat, by Eskendereya

Last 3 Beyers: 82-85-82

◗ She is turning back after fading to finish ninth of 10 in the 1 1/16-mile Osunitas here on July 21. She just missed in her prior start when second by a head to Desert Steel down the hill at Santa Anita.

◗ She benefits from a 10-pound swing in the weights vis-à-vis Desert Steel from that June 25 race at Santa Anita. Watch This Cat spotted Desert Steel eight pounds (126-118) that day, but in this race, she gets two pounds (120-118) from Desert Steel.

Long Hot Summer, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 80-72-59

◗ She was fourth of five behind Desert Steel and Watch This Cat at Santa Anita on June 25, but that was her first start in more than six months, and she has come back with two bullet works over the turf here since that race.

Anita Partner, by Majestic Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 87-95-87

◗ She, too, exits the Osunitas, and while five furlongs might be too short for her, her downhill form at Santa Anita would make her a major player.