Del Mar: Baffert may ship The Factor, Brigand to Saratoga

The Factor is back on the Del Mar work tab and aiming for a late-summer comeback, possibly the Grade 1 King’s Bishop on Aug. 27 at Saratoga.

“It’s a possibility, I’m trying to [make that race],” trainer Bob Baffert said.

The Factor worked a half-mile Tuesday in 49 seconds.

“He went nice, he just cruised,” Baffert said.

The Factor set a Santa Anita six-furlong record (1:06.98) in his second start on Dec. 26, followed by Grade 2 wins in the San Vicente at Santa Anita and Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

X-rays revealed a hairline fracture of his left hind ankle in May, weeks after The Factor finished seventh in the Arkansas Derby on April 16.

“It was already healing,” Baffert said. “He must have done it at Oaklawn.”

While the speedy 2-year-old Night Tide could represent Baffert in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 7, another top 2-year-old is expected to ship east.

“Brigand might be going to Saratoga,” Baffert said. “He’s a better horse on dirt.”

Brigand won his career debut on July 3 with a 75 Beyer Speed Figure, and then improved to 83 finishing second in the Grade 3 Hollywood Juvenile on July 17.

Candrea, the Baffert-trained 2-year-old filly who scored a flashy debut victory July 7 at Hollywood, must skip the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 5 after getting sick following a five-furlong workout July 24.

“She got a little temperature,” Baffert said. “She had a 102 the day after her workout.”

The 75 Beyer earned by Candrea in her debut was the third-fastest of the meet by a 2-year-old filly.

Creative Cause on target for Best Pal

The hotshot 2-year-old Creative Cause will be among the favorites when he makes his second career start in the Best Pal. Trainer Mike Harrington said Creative Cause is on target for the 6 1/2-furlong Best Pal, pending a second Del Mar workout this weekend.

Creative Cause won his July 16 debut by 4 3/4 lengths, earning a 98 Beyer that was the highest by a 2-year-old at the Hollywood meet.

“I knew he could run, but he’s bred to be a two-turn horse,” Harrington said. “I didn’t expect that going five-eighths.”

A son of Giant’s Causeway out of Grade 1 winner Dream of Summer, Creative Cause worked five furlongs July 24 at Del Mar in 1:00.80.

“He worked okay, it wasn’t spectacular,” Harrington said. “I think horses need works over this track. If all goes well, I’m headed to the Best Pal.”