Del Mar: Mitchell goes after record Friday

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Mike Mitchell tied active Hall of Famer Ron McAnally on Del Mar’s all-time list of winningest trainers on Thursday with two wins, and will go for the record on Friday.

Mitchell began the day with 434 career wins at Del Mar and drew even with McAnally at 436 winners after Diamond Journey ($3.40) won the sixth race and So Tough ($7.40) won the eighth race. McAnally did not have any starters on Thursday.

Mitchell has a chance to surpass McAnally with starters in three races on Friday - the second, fifth, and sixth races. McAnally does not have any runners on Friday.

Mitchell once worked for McAnally in the 1970s and also assisted the late Farrell Jones, who is third on the all-time list with 374 wins.

“This is something I’ve thought about for years,” Mitchell said of the milestone. “I worked for McAnally and they’re both ex-bosses of mine. It will be a great achievement. It’s exciting.”

Mitchell expects a successful weekend. “I’ve got chances,” he said. “If I don’t break it this weekend, I’ll jump off the grandstand.”

After Thursday’s eighth race, he had one less horse in his stable as a potential winner. So Tough, a 2-year-old gelding by Old Topper, won a maiden race for $40,000 claimers by 10 1/2 lengths and was claimed in a two-way shake by John Sadler.